In addition to the diagnostic findings, the medical history represents an important component in the diagnosis of leukoplakia. The diagnosis of leukoplakia can only be made by excluding all defined diseases associated with white mucosal changes.
Family history
- What is the general health of your family?
- Are there any common diseases in your family?
Social history
- What is your profession?
Current medical history / systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- What complaints do you have?
- Where are the complaints localized?
- Do you have difficulty swallowing?
- Do you suffer from burning mucous membranes?
- Have you noticed sharp edges on your teeth or dentures?
- Are you experiencing any pain?
- Do you have any functional limitations?
- Do you have pain reactions to mechanical stimuli ?
- Have you burned/corroded your mouth ?
- Do they tend to bite at the lips/cheeks/tongue?
Vegetative history including nutritional history.
- Has your appetite changed?
- Are you eating a balanced diet?
- Do you feel sick?
- Do you smoke? If so, what and how much daily?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what and how much daily?
- Do you like to eat hot spices?
- Do you chew tobacco/betel?
Self history including medication history.
- Age
- [Old age: candidiasis]
- [Infant, toddler: nevus spongiosus albus]
- [Middle-aged women: lichen planus]
- Pre-existing conditions (autoimmune disease [lupus erythematosus]; vesicular dermatoses; diabetes mellitus [candidiasis]; Epstein-Barr viral disease; weakened immune response [candidiasis]; skin lesions: HIV infection [candidiasis, oral hair leukoplakia] human papilloma virus disease; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma pregnancy [candidiasis]).
- Dental history (oral hygiene habits; previous treatment).
Medication history
- Antibiotics [candidiasis]
- Glucocorticoids [candidiasis]
- Cytostatic drugs [candidiasis]
