Smoker's Keratosis

Smoker's keratosis is a lesion that appears on the lining of the mouth or the palate and is associated with tobacco use. It shows up as a thickening or change in the appearance of the oral tissue due to continuous exposure to smoke and heat.

Common features: whitish or thickened areas on the palate, sometimes with small reddened spots, generally painless.

Why monitor it? Although it is usually a lesion related to the smoking habit, any persistent change in the oral lining deserves professional evaluation to rule out other causes.

Who checks it? The dentist, the oral pathologist, or the maxillofacial surgeon can examine this type of lesion. If you notice changes in your mouth that do not go away, it is best to show them to one of these professionals.