Anyone dealing with oral lichen Planus?

Posted by muhlly @muhlly, Aug 9, 2025

78 yr old female with oral Lichen Planus. Teeth have recently started to crack and decay and painful. Went to dentist for
Consultation. Sugestions were implants or full dentures. My concern is the extraction
Of all teeth as they are all bad. Also have had breast cancer with radiation and suspect radiation might have affected teeth. I need to get my teeth fixed soon. Any suggestions? The implant route is very long.

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There are many options of different combinations. I have been to 5 different Dr that actually treat this OLP. They all have different options. I am on Plaquinil for 5 months. The Rheumatologists use this all the time for various arthritis conditions and feel it is safe but have to be followed by a opthamologist which I am every 6 months. I have a compounded product for Clobetasol, Nystatin and lidocaine For flares and Tacromilus mouth gel for other times. Alcohol is a huge trigger and all kinds of foods. I went through Skin testing of chemicals with a Derm pathologist to take that as useful for the dental issues. Can’t use any product with acrylates which are bonding material and crowns. So can only do porcelains. And many more like polyglycol which is in everything as a preservative. It has been helpful for cosmetics etc. no hot or cold liquids. I have lots of numbness as well. My lips have now become one of my biggest issues. Says to use petroleum jelly only and that actually makes them worse. The insides of mouth are always swollen. Roof of mouth like sandpaper , tongues numb So triggers are so hard to figure out. I have good days and bad. Just try to keep busy.

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Profile picture for ginala @ginala

I want to share that I recently started using Crest 3D White Deep Stain Remover toothpaste and it healed a lichen planus outbreak I was having and had kept my gums and tongue clear for about a month now. All other toothpastes (including Sensodyne) have only irritated it. Don't know why this is happening but wanted to pass it on (joined this site to do so). My only other tip is to brush with an Oral B electric toothbrush and to go just a little bit under the gums when brushing the teeth.

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@ginala I have OLP since September 1 and can only use children’s toothpaste now. Nothing seems to work as a cure. I avoid spicy food and use a steroid my periodontist prescribed which does calm it down.

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Profile picture for sadea0208 @sadea0208

@zinnia55 Hi, like you, the reactions I have may not flare up for a day or so. For example, yesterday I really wanted to try a little piece of avocado. Unfortunately it stung my mouth. Today I have a new lesion under my tongue and my inner cheek area is swollen and raw. I have been under a lot of emotional stress also. I know I risked it by eating the avocado along with being upset.
I know for myself, without a doubt, I have to do all that I can to handle stress and upset. I know this effects me with this disease.
I do try to avoid sweet things. For myself, if I don't eat anything that takes a lot of chewing like french bread, iceberg lettuce etc... the more I chew my cheek rubs against my back molars then my cheek gets inflamed and painful. I will eat butter lettuce or the tender varieties. I tend to have a certain level of inflammation in my cheek all of the time. Warm cooked carrots is one thing I love and can easily eat.
The only medications I use are oral lidocaine rinse and dexamethasone oral rinse. The dexamethasone should only be used for ten days and not frequently. I choose not to swallow either medications. It's not good to use the lidocaine rinse frequently and swallow it! I also am taking an antidepressant and antianxiety medication. I have been taking the antidepressant for a couple of years now but adding the antianxiety medication has made quite a difference for me. I take 15mg. of Buspar twice daily. I'm so glad I started this med. because it helps my stress and upset which effects my immune system and mouth. I highly recommend trying the meds. My mouth used to be much worse. I lost a lot of weight. Now I've gained some weight which is good. I'm 5'5" and 130lbs.!!
Just avoid absolutely anything that stings or is painful initially!! Some days may be different than others but I don't want to risk it like I did with the avocado. Fresh banana's are a surprising culprit for me!
I'm here for you if you need to chat.
Take care ❤️

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@sadea0208

Thanks for your post. I have autoimmune gastritis and have been having gum problems. Very anxious and don’t know why. What specialty doctor did you go to for diagnosis? I really don’t know who to see for treatment.

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Profile picture for dag112 @dag112

@sadea0208

Thanks for your post. I have autoimmune gastritis and have been having gum problems. Very anxious and don’t know why. What specialty doctor did you go to for diagnosis? I really don’t know who to see for treatment.

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@dag112 What kind of doctor diagnosed you with your autoimmune gastritis? A rheumatologist? A gastroenterologist? Your PCP? You want to see a GI doctor. And see a dentist for your gums. Good luck!

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Greetings all, can anyone tell me what happens if you catch a cold or the flu when you have OLP does it make it flare? Thank you.

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