White line on the Cheek: Linea Alba

Linea Alba is an elevated whitish line on the cheek at the level of occlusal plane (where the teeth come together). The line appears on the inside of the cheek where the upper and lower teeth meet and extends from the corner of the mouth to the third molars. Linea Alba is so common that many dentists consider this line as a variation of normal.

Linea Alba is slightly raised and is whitish in color and it shows some increase in thickness. Some people habitually chew their cheeks it forms as a response to the recurring friction on the cheek.

Linea Alba: Repeated Irritation Due to Cheek Biting

Sometimes Linea Alba becomes pronounced in persons with the habit of cheek chewing. Patient below has the habit of cheek sucking which invaginates the cheek into and between the invisalign trays on the molars. As seen in the image, this habit has caused irritation on the cheeks. Linea alba is also more prominent in people with little overjet of the premolars and molars.