Q. What causes white lines or patches on the gums of a 20-year-old male?

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old male who does not smoke. Recently, I have noticed the presence of white lines or patches on my gums, both above and below my teeth. I am wondering if this is something I should be worried about. I am well aware that my dental health is not ideal, and I have a dental cleaning scheduled in two weeks' time. I have also experienced some bleeding while brushing, particularly from the two teeth that have discolored gums beneath the white patches. The bleeding has reduced since I started brushing more regularly and using Corsodyl mouthwash. Initially, there used to be bleeding from multiple teeth, but the situation has improved.

I suspect that I might be dealing with gum disease. Could the white patch on my upper right gum be attributed to this condition? I am feeling quite paranoid about the possibility of oral cancer.

Please clarify.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for you reply.

I only noticed the white patch on my upper gums when I lifted my lip to check today. The actual duration of its presence is uncertain. I did have an oral cancer screening on last month during which the healthcare professional advised that I needed a cleaning and expressed no concerns about any issues.

My gums have been bleeding when I brush my teeth for an extended period (likely due to infrequent brushing), and I have been accumulating calculus for about two years now – a result of poor diet and dental hygiene habits that date back to when I was 18.

I have also attached another image of the white patch that is causing my concern.

Thank you for your assistance.