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Ulceration is a common presenting sign of a wide spectrum of diseases of the oral cavity involving many etiologic factors, such as trauma, infection, neoplasms, medication, and immune related disorders, ranging from self-limited lesions to life-threatening diseases. In most cases, a proper diagnosis can be established based on medical history and clinical features only. Early diagnosis is important as oral ulcerations might be a manifestation of a systemic disease or sometimes even due to a malignant process.

A red or blue mucous membrane disorder of the oral cavity can arise in response to a local cause of irritation, as a cause of an inflammation reaction to an infection, an auto-immune reaction to a local factor, and as an expression of an underlying systemic disorder. Moreover, it can be an expression of a premalignant or malignant mucous membrane disorder. Knowledge about and recognition of the different red and blue mucous membrane disorders can hasten the diagnosis and possible treatment. In the case of a premalignant (erythroplakia) or a malignant mucous membrane disorder (squamous cell carcinoma), the prognosis is better with early diagnosis and treatment than at a later stage of the disease.

Pigmented oral lesions may be due to the most diverse disorders. A distinction can be made between non-melanin-associated and melanin-associated pigmentations. Some lesions may be diagnosed on the basis of medical history and clinical research. In focal pigmented lesions, histological examination is necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis. Most disorders are benign but some may be malignant melanomas.

The general dentist is sometimes confronted with white lesions of the oral mucosa. Oral lichen planus is the most common oral white lesion. The diagnosis can usually be made on the basis of the clinical aspect, but is sometimes made more difficult by certain abnormalities in the oral mucosa which clinically resemble oral lichen planus or by abnormalities which cannot be distinguished from oral lichen planus but have a different origin. Those lesions are classified as oral lichenoid lesions. Malignant deterioration has been described in allforms of oral lichen planus lesions and oral lichenoid lesions. There is no known method to predict or prevent malignant transformation. Nor are there any studies examining the efficacy of frequent follow-up visits. It seems sensible, in keeping with the tendency in recent literature, to schedule annual check-ups for patients to be on the safe side. These follow-up visits may reasonably be performed in a general dental practice.

Leukoplakia of the oral mucosa is a potentially malignant disorder, which means that there is an elevated risk oftransformation into a squamous cell carcinoma. The term oral leukoplakia is a clinical diagnosis for a predominantly white lesion which is not immediately recognizable as another well definable lesion which is white in appearance. Oral leukoplakia is generally an asymptomatic disorder of the mucosa with a prevalence of less than 2 per cent in the adult population. Tobacco usage is considered to be the most important etiological factor. Malignant transformation into a squamous cell carcinoma occurs in about I per cent per year. A patient with oral leukoplakia is generally referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who takes a biopsy for a definitive histopathological diagnosis. The outcome of the histopathological study, which may vary from hyperkeratosis to invasive squamous cell carcinoma, will determine the treatment. It is preferable that every leukoplakia is removed to reduce the risk of malignant transformation. Long term follow-up is indicated. Follow-up may in some cases be performed by the general dental practitioner.

White lesions of the oral mucosa may be due to highly diverse disorders. Most of these disorders are benign but some may be a malignant or premalignant condition. The disease is often confined to the oral mucosa. There are also disorders which are accompanied by skin disorders or systemic diseases. Many white oral mucosa disorders have such characteristic clinical aspects that a diagnosis can be made on clinical grounds only. When the clinical diagnosis is not clear, histopathological examination is carried out. Treatment depends on the histological diagnosis. In some cases, treatment is not necessary while in other cases, treatment is not possible since an effective treatment is not available. Potentially malignant disorders are treated.

Radiation mucositis is characterized by erythema, pseudomembranes, and ulceration of mucosa in the irradiated field. We present two cases of oral mucosal changes in patients treated with radiotherapy in the head and neck region, which included mucosal erythema and ulceration outside of the radiated fields. One case was confirmed as herpes virus infection, and the other was diagnosed as Sweet's syndrome. When mucositis extends beyond the radiation fields, the clinician should consider other causes of mucosal inflammation and erythema in order to begin appropriate management.