The incidence of oral lesions induced by chronic irritationsamong patients attending oral diagnosis clinic

Abstract EN

Background : Chronic irritations can produce a variety of clinical lesions in the oral cavity, such as ; reactive hyperplasia, red and white lesions, traumatic ulcers and swellings The purpose of this study was to find out the incidence and the main causes of these lesions in Iraqi patients during the last two years.

Materials and methods : A total of 340 patients attending the diagnosis clinic within 2 years (2003 and 2004) were examined clinically and diagnosed thorough a search for the etiological factors of the lesions mentioned in this study.

Result : Out of 340 patients complaining of various oral lesions, only 146 patients were diagnosed as having oral lesions due to chronic irritation.

Highest frequency was reactive hyperplasia (35.6 %), followed by traumatic ulcers (24.7 %).

red lesions (19.9 %), white lesions (15 %) and swellings (4.8 %) respectively.

Mechanical irritation represents the major causative factor in creating the traumatic lesions.

Conclusions : The incidence of oral lesions due to chronic irritation was increased (mainly traumatic ulcers) due to health negligence of mouth hygiene, besides the increasing incidence of smoking and other bad habits.