Hyperkeratinisation – excessive growth of stubbornly attached keratin (a fibrous protein produced by the body) – may happen for a number of reasons, and may be genetic (runs in the family), physiological e.g. due to friction from a sharp tooth, pre-malignant (pre-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). The change may result from chemical, heat or physical irritants.Friction (the constant rubbing of two surfaces against each other) in the mouth may result in benign (non-cancerous) white patches.Various names have been used to describe particular examples of FK, including those resulting from excessive tooth-brushing force (toothbrush keratosis), the constant rubbing of the tongue against the teeth (tongue thrust keratosis), and that produced by the habit of chronic cheek or lip biting (cheek or lip bite keratosis).What are the signs and symptoms of FK?What are the signs and symptoms of FK?Most patients with FK are free of symptoms. A patient may notice a thickening of an area of skin in the mouth, or FK may be discovered by accident during a routine oral examination.
Dr. Banić