Although I have not been dx with anything yet, I am sure everyone can relate to how the mind works. In to the dentist for a regular cleaning last week and the hygenist noticed some fine white lines on the floor of the mouth that crossed the frenulum. They seem to look like fish scales at the floor of my mouth...or stretches...the hygenist referred to them as "Striations." No sores, ulcers, pain, lumps, anything like that so the dentist came in and looked and suggested we do a brush biopsy just to be safe. I am only 29 but have smoked regularly and kind of heavily for about 12 years. Although many will be happy I have only had one today...that is GOOD for me!!!! I am trying! My question is that God Forbid this is something positive, does it sound to most like this would be an "early" stage as opposed to a late stage. I have read that the prognosis is obviously much better in the early stages. I was in for a cleaning 6 months ago and then again about 4 months ago to get a cavity filled. The dentist obviously did not see or notice these then, so it is a fairly new thing. These white lines seem to be less distinct in the morning which could very well mean that it is some type of irritation from smoking, however, i am going a bit nuts right now, checking my mouth and neck every half hour..i should probably stay off the internet until I get my results back which should come in next week some time. The dentist said she tends to be overly aggressive and does quite a bit of brush biopsies because it is better to be safe than sorry...and will do them on ANY tissue change she sees whether the patient is a smoker or not...any ideas to help me ease my mind until the results come back in...thank you.