ISSN ONLINE 2583- 2247

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Functional Oral Self-Mutilation in Children: A Clinical Case Series

Marília Goulardins Gomes* , Ana Paula Dias Moreno , Letícia Santana Fernandes , Fernanda Souza Liévana and Andiara De Rossi

1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil .

Corresponding author Email: m_goulardins@usp.br


DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/EDJ.07.0102.09

Functional oral self-mutilation is an uncommon behavioral condition in children without neurological or syndromic disorders. It may cause significant soft-tissue injury and requires careful diagnosis and interdisciplinary management.

This report describes three pediatric cases with distinct patterns of functional oral self-mutilation. The first case involved a 6-year-old boy who presented with periungual trauma resulting from repetitive nail-biting. The second case described a 7-year-old boy who developed a localized gingival lesion adjacent to tooth 54 due to habitual scratching with the fingernail. The third case involved a 9-year-old girl who exhibited recurrent trauma to the labial and buccal mucosa caused by digital manipulation. All patients received individualized care including oral hygiene instruction, behavioral guidance, and psychological referral.

Functional oral self-mutilation represents a behavioral challenge that requires early recognition and multidisciplinary intervention. Caregiver education, psychological support, and preventive dental management are essential for long-term control and prognosis.


Children; Case report; Gingival trauma; Oral self-injury; Pediatric dentistry

Copy the following to cite this article:

Gomes M. G, Moreno P. D, Fernandes L. S, Liévana F. S, Rossi A. D, Functional Oral Self-Mutilation in Children: A Clinical Case Series. Enviro Dental Journal 2025; 7(1-2).

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/EDJ.07.0102.09

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Gomes M. G, Moreno P. D, Fernandes L. S, Liévana F. S, Rossi A. D, Functional Oral Self-Mutilation in Children: A Clinical Case Series. Enviro Dental Journal 2025; 7(1-2). Available here:https://bit.ly/4q7xpIK


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