If you deal with oral lichen planus, you know it can make everyday moments feel painful and overwhelming. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, chatting with friends, or simply brushing your teeth, this chronic condition can turn everyday activities into challenges.
That’s where we come in. At Davids, our mission is to help you take control of your oral health with natural, gentle products that soothe and protect your mouth, no matter how sensitive it is. Keep reading to discover how natural remedies + our mild toothpaste can make a real difference in managing oral lichen planus and keeping your mouth feeling its best.
what is lichen planus?
Lichen Planus is an autoimmune condition that can cause inflammation and irritation in the skin, mouth, scalp, nails, esophagus, ears, nose, eyes, and other areas of the body. It typically appears as follows.
- Purple/red flat-topped bumps on the affected skin areas
- Fine white “lacy” lines that accompany these bumps
- Ridging or splitting in the nails
- Sores, flakiness, burning, and pain inside the mouth
- Pain and difficulty swallowing (if it’s in the esophagus)
Because lichen planus is a chronic condition, symptoms can come and go, reappear regularly, or persist for a long time. While it can be treated with topical creams on your skin, it can be very tricky to treat those symptoms when they appear in your mouth! On that note, let’s dive into the specifics of oral lichen planus.
what is oral lichen planus?
Oral lichen planus (OLP) refers to the condition that specifically affects the mucous membranes in your mouth (your tongue, gums, and inner cheeks). While there are many variations of oral lichen planus, here’s an overview of the two main types.
- Reticular OLP shows up as pale white “lacy” patches. This is the most common type of oral lichen planus and typically does not turn into a more serious condition (like oral cancer).
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Erosive OLP appears as red open sores that often hurt and burn. This type of oral lichen planus is more likely to lead to mouth cancer, so it’s best to get it checked regularly.
Both of these types of oral lichen planus come with common symptoms, such as:
- Small pale bumps that form a “lacy” pattern on your inner cheeks, tongue, or gums
- Red open sores inside your mouth
- Dry mouth
- Burning, bleeding, inflammation, and irritation with brushing
- Sore gums
- Metallic taste
- Decreased ability to taste
- Roughness inside the mouth
- General pain and burning throughout the day
All of these symptoms can make it difficult to keep up with your daily habits, whether it’s eating, talking, or keeping up with your oral care routine.
oral lichen planus vs thrush
It can be difficult to distinguish between oral lichen planus and other oral conditions such as thrush and “geographic tongue” because they can all cause white patches or lines in the mouth. To help you separate these conditions, here are a few key things to look out for.
- Oral thrush is a yeast (fungal) infection in the mouth that appears as “creamy” white patches in the mouth and cracks in the corner of your lips. It’s often accompanied by dry mouth and burning. Unlike lichen planus, oral thrush can be treated with antifungal rinses.
- Oral lichen planus is an inflammatory condition (as described above) that appears as “lacy” white patches, streaks, or tiny white dots.
- Geographic tongue looks like red patches on the tongue with white “wavy” lines next to the red patches.
We understand it can be hard to spot the differences among these conditions. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, visit your doctor or dentist to identify the cause and course of action (rather than getting lost in photos and online forums).
Now that we’ve covered the symptoms of oral lichen planus, let’s explore some of the causes.
what causes lichen planus?
While experts don’t know the exact cause of lichen planus, they believe it’s caused by:
- immune system dysfunction: also known as an autoimmune response, this occurs when your immune system attacks healthy skin (and mucosal tissue)
- genetics: does lichen planus run in your family? Certain genetic variations (called HLA alleles) are associated with lichen planus and can be passed down.
- stressful triggers: in addition to general stress, allergies and infections can also trigger lichen planus.
- medications: medications for blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and malaria have all been linked to lichen planus.
- hepatitis C: this virus has also been known to trigger lichen planus.
It’s important to note that some people experience allergic reactions to dental materials like metal fillings, which can cause similar symptoms to lichen planus. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we recommend visiting your doctor or dentist to distinguish between an allergic reaction and oral lichen planus.
how common is lichen planus?
About 1 in 100 people will experience lichen planus (this includes all types of lichen planus, not just oral lichen planus). It’s more common to see lichen planus in middle-aged adults over 50.
While non-oral lichen planus tends to affect men and women equally, oral lichen planus is 2x more prevalent in women than men! Experts believe this is related to hormonal changes and the fact that women are more likely to experience other medical conditions that predispose them to oral lichen planus. For example, oral lichen planus occurs more often in perimenopausal women than in the rest of the population. Experts believe this is linked to declining estrogen levels.
It’s important to note that lichen planus is not contagious! So you don’t have to worry about getting infected if someone you know has it.
To recap:
- About 1 in 100 people will experience lichen planus.
- It’s most common in people 50+ years old.
- Oral lichen planus is 2x more prevalent in women than men.
- Oral lichen planus is most common in perimenopausal women.
- Lichen planus and oral lichen planus are not contagious.
the challenges of oral lichen planus
In addition to disrupting your everyday habits like eating, talking, and brushing your teeth, oral lichen planus can evolve and lead to things like:
- stress, anxiety, and depression: the pain and discomfort of oral lichen planus can lead to emotional distress, decreased quality of life, and avoidance of social situations. This can lead to more isolation and feelings of hopelessness.
- scarring: chronic inflammation can cause permanent tissue damage, leading to stiff, tight oral tissues that affect speech and chewing.
- serious pain: severe flare-ups can result in burning sensations, ulcerations, and extreme sensitivity to spicy or acidic foods.
- weight loss: pain while eating may lead to reduced appetite, difficulty chewing, and unintentional weight loss.
- mouth cancer: in rare cases, oral lichen planus can increase the risk of certain oral cancers.
If someone you love deals with oral lichen planus, we hope this information inspires you to find new ways to support them. To help, we’ve included a few natural ways to manage oral lichen planus below.
tips to manage lichen planus naturally
Prioritize stress management.
What’s something you can do every day to check in with yourself and get a break from the demands of your busy life? Whether it’s a three-minute stretching routine, a mindful meditation, a quick walk around the block, a yoga class, or a therapy session, schedule in time to focus on yourself and avoid an overload of stress.
Avoid dietary triggers.
If you’re experiencing a flare-up of oral lichen planus, it’s natural to want to avoid spicy, acidic, and other irritating foods. While some dietary triggers may be obvious, some less obvious ones include alcohol, tomato-based products, cinnamon, artificial sweeteners, peppermint or citrus teas, carbonated beverages, processed meats, and dairy products.
Utilize anti-inflammatory products and supplements.
Try different methods like rinsing with aloe vera juice, applying honey or coconut oil, or using chamomile tea as a mouth rinse. Supplements like turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D may also help reduce inflammation and support your immune health. As always, we recommend chatting with your doctor before starting new supplements, especially if you’re dealing with a condition like oral lichen planus.
Practice good oral hygiene with gentle toothpaste, like Davids.
With oral lichen planus, it’s so important to keep your mouth clean. But the condition can make it difficult to tolerate oral care products. This can put you in a bit of a pickle, but that’s where we come in. At Davids, we’re proud to offer oral care products for even the most sensitive mouths. With flavors like mild mint, orange vanilla, and strawberry watermelon, you can choose from a lineup of gentle toothpaste flavors that won’t aggravate your symptoms like strong mint flavors might (more on that below).
In addition to using gentle toothpaste, here are a few daily tips for oral lichen planus:
- Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash. Alcohol can irritate and dehydrate sensitive oral tissues, making symptoms worse. Opt for an alcohol-free, soothing mouth rinse like our Davids Hydroxi™ fresh breath mouthwash..
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Harsh bristles can aggravate oral lichen planus, so choose a soft toothbrush to gently clean your teeth, like our bamboo toothbrush. It’s made with high-performance, BPA-free bristles derived from plant oil.
- Keep your mouth hydrated. Hydration is key to preventing dry mouth, which can worsen symptoms. Drink plenty of water and incorporate saliva-promoting foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and sugar-free gum with xylitol.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both alcohol and tobacco can increase dry mouth, irritation, and inflammation, potentially worsening oral lichen planus symptoms.
- See your dentist every six months. Regular dental check-ups ensure your condition is monitored, managed, and properly treated with professional guidance. Your dentist can provide personalized care to help keep your mouth as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Now, let’s dive into a few reasons why our mind toothpaste flavors can be game-changers for those with sensitive mouths and conditions like oral lichen planus.
why our gentle toothpaste is great for lichen planus
It’s no secret that the mouth is a uniquely vulnerable area. It contains ultra-sensitive tissue and carries out so many daily tasks from chewing to chatting. Not only can oral lichen planus force you to avoid certain foods, but it also makes it unbearable to use certain oral care products, especially conventional ones that contain sulfates, strong minty flavors, and other irritating chemicals.
As an oral care brand with a mission to help you nurture a “healthy mouth + healthy you,” we’re here to provide you with natural products to help manage and soothe conditions like oral lichen planus. To start, you can trust that our gentle toothpaste formulas contain:
- saliva-stimulating ingredients: dry mouth can worsen symptoms of oral lichen planus, so we incorporate naturally hydrating ingredients like xylitol, coconut oil, and vegetable glycerin to help support saliva production and keep your mouth comfortable.
- mild, mouthwatering flavors: say goodbye to overpowering mint and artificial sweeteners! Our toothpaste is flavored with gentle, naturally derived ingredients like coconut, vanilla, mild fruit extracts, and (low concentrations of) premium mint essential oils to provide a refreshing but non-irritating experience.
- zero sulfates (including SLS): our formulas are completely free of harsh foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which can irritate sensitive oral tissues and worsen lichen planus symptoms. In place of SLS, we use sodium cocoyl glutamate, which is derived from coconut material. It creates a gentle, mild foaming action to aid in the cleaning and whitening process without irritating your mouth.
- zero artificial colors, flavors, or harsh preservatives: we believe in keeping things simple, natural, and effective. That’s why our gentle toothpaste is free from synthetic dyes, artificial sweeteners, and harsh preservatives that can contribute to irritation.
With our thoughtfully crafted formulas, you don’t have to choose between effective oral care and gentle ingredients. We’re here to help you maintain a clean, healthy mouth without unnecessary discomfort. Because when your oral care works with your body, not against it, you can smile, speak, and enjoy life with more comfort and confidence.
