What are the causes of Oral sub-mucous fibrosis?
The reasons for Oral sub-mucous fibrosis are as follows:
- Chewable items such as betel nuts contain substances that irritate the oral mucosa thereby making it lose its elasticity. Pan Masala and gutkha contain a very high concentration of areca nut and consuming them regularly causes OSWF.
- Consumption of red chillies in large quantities.
- Immunological diseases.
- Climatic conditions that are extreme in nature
- Lack of iron & vitamins in the diet.
What is the treatment for Oral sub-mucous fibrosis?
The type of treatment to be rendered is dependent mainly on the stage of the disease. If you stop taking Pan Masala at the right time it is possible to reverse the disease. However, the existence of this disease is discovered when it reaches the moderate to the severe stage in most of the cases. Two types of treatments are given for Oral sub-mucous fibrosis – medical and surgical. Before treating this disease it is necessary to get biopsy screening done. As a part of the treatment the patient should adhere to the following:
- Stop the habit of chewing betel nut and tobacco
- Minimize the consumption of spicy foods and chillies
- Maintain a good oral hygiene.
- Get the third molars extracted.
- Round off the sharp edges of teeth.
- Take Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin A and Vitamin C
- Take iron supplements.
- Practice muscle stretching exercise for the mouth
What are the medications for Oral sub-mucous fibrosis?
The following medical treatments are given:
- Weekly sub mucosal intra-lesional injection or topical application of steroids – dexamethasone, Triamcinolone, acetonide, and betamethasone valerate.
- Injection or topical hyaluronidase with or without steroids.
- Intralesional interferon gamma.
- Submucosal injection of healthy human placental extracts.
What are the surgical treatments for Oral sub-mucous fibrosis?
The following surgical treatments are given: Surgical treatment includes reconstructive surgery by an orofacio-maxillary or plastic surgeon. Simple excision of a fibrous band is to be avoided to prevent contracture of tissue and exacerbation.