Chemical Burns of the Oral Cavity

Abstract

The oral cavity is often exposed to several chemical agents including drugs, dental materials and non-therapeutic agents1. Exposure to certain chemical agents may sometimes result in significant damage and adverse reaction in the oral tissues. The severity and extent of injury to the oral tissues would depend on several factors such as the composition, quantity, pH, duration of exposure and level of tissue penetration of the chemical irritant 2.Although a common occurrence, oral lesions caused by chemical injury are often misdiagnosed. This indicates the need for an in depth understanding of the common causes, pathophysiology, clinical picture and treatment of these conditions among health professionals.