Palate

Smoker's Palate

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Smoker's Palate, Stomatitis nicotina, Nicotinic Stomatitis

  • Epidemiology
  1. Visible only in Tobacco smokers
  2. More common in pipe smokers and cigar smokers
  • Pathophysiology
  1. Inflamed, highlighted ducts of Salivary Glands
  2. Palatal submucosa rich in minor Salivary Glands
  • Signs
  1. Diffuse white mucosal thickening on Hard Palate
    1. Pinpoint reddish Papules on this white background
  • Evaluation
  1. Benign lesions, but predicts other Oral Tumors
  2. Only needs biopsy if on Soft Palate
  • References
  1. Kleinegger in Rakel (2002) Current Therapy, p. 830