Description: The classic form of this disease occurs in the palate of those who smoke pipes. The palatal mucosa is white and criss-crossed by fissures, giving the appearance of a dried creekbed. Small red elevations scattered throughout the lesion are thought to be inflamed orifices of minor salivary gland ducts. It produces no symptoms and may be discovered in a routine oral examination.
Etiology: This lesion is caused by smoking, chiefly pipe smoking. A report of thermally induced nicotine stomatitis in a woman who drank scalding hot tea and soup suggests heat rather than tobacco products are responsible for this condition.
Treatment: This disease usually dissappears after discontinuance of smoking.
Differential diagnosis: The clinical appearance of nicotine stomatitis coupled with a history of pipe smoking is virtually diagnostic. Biopsy is seldom necessary.
