A Delayed Diagnosis of an Oral Foreign Body Due to Post-traumatic Neglect: A Case Report and Literature Review

Foreign bodies embedded in the oral cavity are infrequent and often pose substantial diagnostic challenges, particularly when the early traumatic incident occurs in childhood and remains unknown for years. This case report presents a 23-year-old female patient who reported chronic purulent discharge in the oral cavity. After a thorough investigation, the symptoms were linked back to an oropharyngeal injury that occurred when the patient was 11 years old after a fall while holding a toothbrush. When the orthopantomogram (OPG) failed to reveal any abnormalities, computed tomography (CT) was used for further evaluation, which revealed a retained toothbrush head lodged near the right pterygomandibular space. The foreign object was surgically removed with negligible postoperative complications, resulting in complete symptom resolution. When assessing persistent orofacial complaints of uncertain origin, this case emphasizes the value of a comprehensive patient history, early use of advanced imaging, and a high index of clinical suspicion. Additionally, it highlights the critical role of preventive education, particularly during routine dental visits.