歯ブラシによる幼児の口腔軟組織損傷例の臨床統計的観察

Abstract

We studied soft tissue injuries of the oral cavity caused by a toothbrush in 59 children younger than 7 years from 1983 through 2003. There were 35 boys and 24 girls aged 9 months to 6 years 7 months, with a peak incidence at 1 year. Falling down was the cause of injuries in 46 children. Forty-one children visited us directly, whereas others were referred to us by surgeons, emergency specialists, dentists, otolaryngologists, and others. Thirty-one children presented within 3 hours after injury and 15 the following day. The soft palate and palatoglossal arch, buccal mucosa, hard palate, oral floor, retromolar region, upper lip, gingiva, and tongue were involved in 25, 20, 6, 3, 2, 1, 1 and 1 child, respectively. Lacerations greater and less than 10 mm long were seen in 20 and 16 hildren, respectively. Submucous bleeding was present in 13 children, and scratches were present in 10 children. In 3 children, the wound was associated with herniation of the buccal fat pad. The wound was sutured and antibiotics were given to 23 children. Twenty children were observed without antibiotic treatment, and 16 children were given antibiotics. Local infection occurred in 3 children.