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Three paediatric patients with oral self-mutilation--a report
Parmjit Singh1, Robert Emanuel, Jennifer Parry
1The Ipswich Hospital.
Dental Update
|June 19, 2008
Summary
Oral self-mutilation, though considered rare, is likely more common than recognized. Dentists should consider this in unexplained oral conditions, as seen in three pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral Medicine
- Pediatric Dentistry
Background:
- Oral self-mutilation, while often considered uncommon in Western cultures, may be more prevalent than previously acknowledged.
- It encompasses damage to oral soft and hard tissues, including gingival, mucosal, and periodontal structures, as well as glossectomy, auto-extraction, and foreign body insertion.
Observation:
- The study presents three pediatric cases of oral self-mutilation.
- These cases highlight the need for careful consideration of self-mutilation in the differential diagnosis of unexplained oral conditions in children.
Findings:
- Oral self-mutilation is a recognized, albeit infrequent, phenomenon.
- The range of self-inflicted oral injuries can be extensive, affecting various oral tissues and structures.
Implications:
- Healthcare practitioners, particularly dentists and pediatricians, should include oral self-mutilation in their differential diagnosis for persistent or unusual oral findings.
- Increased awareness can lead to earlier identification and appropriate management of this condition.
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