Delayed Healing of Traumatic Ulcers Due to Toothpicks Injuries Exacerbated by Psychological Stress in Teledentistry Patients: Case Report

Dublin Core

Title

Delayed Healing of Traumatic Ulcers Due to Toothpicks Injuries Exacerbated by Psychological Stress in Teledentistry Patients: Case Report

Subject

Aloe vera extract,
stress, teledentistry,
tongue lesion,
traumatic ulcer

Description

Introduction: A traumatic ulcer is a mucosal lesion caused by direct
physical, mechanical, thermal, or chemical trauma to the mucosa, such as
from malocclusion, ill-fitting dentures, or bad habits like using toothpicks.
Treatment aims to alleviate pain, eliminate the primary source of trauma,
and promote healing of the ulcer. The objective of this case report is to
document traumatic ulcers resulting from mechanical trauma exacerbated
by stress.
Methods: A male patient presented with an ulcer that had been present for
three weeks after accidentally injuring himself with a toothpick. The ulcer
had not been treated previously. The patient reported experiencing high
levels of stress and sleep deprivation due to working on his thesis. Clinical
photos provided by the patient revealed a solitary, white-to-yellowish
ulcer, approximately 5x3 mm in size, on the left lateral side of the tongue.
The patient was prescribed an antiseptic anti-inflammatory aloe vera
extract gel via teledentistry.
Results: Under stress, the HPA axis releases corticotropin-releasing
hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus, activating the adrenal cortex to
release glucocorticoids. The interaction between glucocorticoids and
proinflammatory cytokines is a physiological mechanism that links stress
and wound healing. Glucocorticoids can interfere with the inflammatory
response and reduce white blood cell activity, thereby affecting wound
healing.
Conclusion: Traumatic ulcers can be exacerbated by psychological
conditions such as stress. Dentists and healthcare providers should
conduct thorough patient history assessments, clinical examinations, and
provide appropriate therapy and oral health education to promote
effective ulcer healing.

Creator

Yeni Puspitasari1*, Khamila Gayatri Anjani1, Dian Artanty1, & Hakim Zulkarnain2

Source

https://doi.org/10.37363/bnr.2024.54402

Date

23 September 2024

Contributor

peri irawan

Format

pdf

Language

english

Type

text

Files

Collection

Citation

Yeni Puspitasari1*, Khamila Gayatri Anjani1, Dian Artanty1, & Hakim Zulkarnain2, “Delayed Healing of Traumatic Ulcers Due to Toothpicks Injuries Exacerbated by Psychological Stress in Teledentistry Patients: Case Report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11832.