Imagine that on an average morning, you do your daily oral hygiene in front of the mirror. Suddenly, you notice that your tongue has touched something unusual and small, and it is hidden deep in your mouth. If you look closely, it looks like a small "corn kernel", which not only has a strange shape, but also exudes an indescribable odor after being pinched and flattened. What is this little thing? Is it a sign of some kind of disease, or is it just the result of poor oral hygiene?
This is not a fictional story, but a reality that many people may encounter. Our protagonist, a middle-aged and elderly friend who pays attention to health and often attends health lectures, has encountered such a problem. Initially, he thought that it might just be an accident, but over time, this "kernel of corn" not only did not disappear, but became more pronounced. Worry and curiosity drove him to seek professional medical help, only to find out that the small foreign body turned out to be a common lesion in the mouth called "flat warts".
Demystifying the Oral Mystery: What is an "Oral Foreign Body"?
In the universe of oral health, there is a widely discussed but little-known phenomenon – oral foreign bodies. This is not only a medical concept, but also an invisible guardian of our oral health, which refers to any abnormal substance that grows on the surface or inside the oral mucosa, which may be food residues, or more likely the outward manifestation of certain diseases in the body.
Flat warts: a frequent visitor to oral foreign bodies
Flat warts, medically known as oral lichen planus, are a common foreign body that occurs on the oral mucosa. It usually appears as a single or multiple small nodules of various sizes, with a smooth or slightly rough surface, ranging in color from pale yellow to grayish-white, and similar in shape to the corn kernels we see in our daily lives.
More than just "corn kernels"
Despite being figuratively likened to "corn kernels", the appearance of flat warts is far from a simple natural phenomenon. It is a pathological condition that reflects the alarm of oral health. Flat warts can appear on the tongue, palate, inside of the lip and other areas, causing not only visual discomfort, but also mild to moderate discomfort.
Why care about flat warts?
Flat warts are not just a simple oral problem, it can be a sign of other health problems in the body. For example, some types of flat warts are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which is associated with a variety of cancers in the mouth and other parts of the mouth. Therefore, the concern for flat warts is not excessive, but a necessary vigilance for the health of the individual.
Cause analysis: uncover the reasons behind oral foreign bodies
When a foreign body resembling a "corn kernel" is found in the mouth, understanding the cause is a critical first step in grasping the treatment. This type of oral foreign body is usually related to several factors:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that infects cells in the oral mucosa, causing cell proliferation and the formation of flat warts. Studies have shown a direct correlation between HPV infection and the occurrence of flat warts in the mouth.
Abnormalities of the immune system
As we age, the body's immune system may gradually decline. This weakening of immunity can lead to an increase in viral infections in the body, including HPV, which is capable of affecting the oral mucosa.
Genetic factors
Some people's susceptibility to HPV may be genetic. Genetic factors may influence an individual's immune response, which can affect the development of oral flat warts.
Bad habits
Poor lifestyle habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are also considered risk factors for the development of flat warts in the mouth. These habits can lead to changes in the oral environment, providing suitable conditions for the growth of pathogens such as HPV.
environmental factors
Some studies have pointed out that prolonged exposure to certain environments, such as high-pollution or high-stress environments, may also increase the risk of flat warts in the mouth.
Accurate diagnosis: the way to identify foreign bodies in the mouth
When an unidentified foreign body is present in the mouth, such as a "corn kernel"-shaped object, an accurate diagnostic process becomes a critical step to ensure that the patient receives the appropriate treatment and management. There are several key steps involved in this process:
Initial oral examination
The doctor first performs a thorough oral examination to look at the location, size, shape and color of the foreign body. The purpose of this step is to initially identify the nature of the foreign body and rule out other common oral problems.
History collection
A detailed history is essential for diagnosis. Doctors ask people about when the foreign body has appeared, what symptoms it has with (eg, pain, bleeding), and whether there are risk factors (eg, smoking, immune system disorders) that contribute to the development of flat warts in the mouth.
Tissue biopsy
In ambiguous cases, tissue biopsy becomes the gold standard of diagnosis. The doctor will take a small tissue sample from the suspected area for a pathological examination. This step can confirm the presence of flat warts or rule out other possible oral diseases.
Advanced imaging techniques
When necessary, doctors may use advanced imaging techniques (eg, oral ultrasound, MRI) to see the depth of the foreign body and its relationship to surrounding tissues to provide more information for the treatment plan.
HPV test
Because human papillomavirus (HPV) is closely related to the development of flat warts in the mouth, your doctor may recommend an HPV test to confirm the presence or absence of a viral infection.