What does it mean when there is a milky white discharge on the oral mucosa?

1. It may result from food irritation, especially after consuming large amounts of acidic foods, leading to transient whitening of the oral mucosa. However, this symptom is usually brief and resolves spontaneously. 2. Candida albicans infection is another common cause, which can lead to velvety white pseudomembranes on the oral mucosa and requires antifungal treatment. Long-term irritation from dental injuries such as residual roots or crowns may also trigger leukoplakia of the oral mucosa. 3. Oral white mucosal lesions may also be associated with certain diseases, such as oral leukokeratosis, oral leukoplakia, and oral lichen planus. These conditions are often caused by prolonged mechanical or chemical irritation, immune factors, psychological factors, etc., and may manifest as white patches, plaques, or linear patterns on the oral mucosa. For these conditions, timely medical evaluation is recommended, and appropriate treatment should be initiated based on the specific underlying cause.