What is Linea Alba?

A very common condition that people experience is a white line on the inner side of their cheek. This is known as Linea Alba in medical terms. You might have come across this lining while brushing your teeth. Since this condition does not cause any pain, you do not have to worry about it. But what causes this white line? Think of it as a callous formed in your cheek. People who have a habit of biting their cheek are more likely to develop this condition.

Linea Alba is a condition in which the inner tissue of your cheek, also known as buccal mucosa hardens. This results in the formation of a white ridge in the pink tissue of your cheek. This hardening is due to the deposition of a material called keratin. The main reason behind this condition is the friction between the teeth and the soft layer of the cheeks. The condition in itself does not lead to any major discomfort or pain but needs to be managed to ensure that it does not get thicker over time.

Causes

Just like your fingers develop calluses when you play an instrument like guitar frequently, a similar callus is formed in your cheek with repeated biting and grinding. The condition could be a result of any of these:

• If your teeth are uneven and they constantly grind or slide against each other.
• People with dentures that rub against each other may also experience this condition.
• Wearing orthodontic gear could lead to the formation of this white line.
• People who brush or floss too hard and too much may end up with Linea Alba as well.
• If you have a habit of clenching your jaw too hard, you could be at risk of developing this white line.

Biting into the hard-line will only make it thicker. Therefore, you need to stay away from biting into the cheeks if you have Linea Alba.

Care

As long as you do not further bite into your cheeks and disturb the line, you would not have a problem. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, you need to get rid of it to prevent this ridge from forming. If the problem is arising due to dentures, get them adjusted by a professional to prevent them from rubbing against each other. You need to break the habit of chewing into your cheek as it will worsen the situation for you.

While this condition is not exactly harmful, you still need to get it checked by a dentist. They can ensure that the line is actually Linea Alba and not any other harmful condition like canker sores. Some conditions like leukoplakia that resemble this white line are actually quite dangerous. Therefore, you need to be sure that the white line is just a hardened layer of keratin. If you have recently discovered this white line, get the opinion of your dentist as soon as you can.

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