Palatal Mucosal Inflammation Caused by an Unusual Foreign Body in an Infant

TL;DR

A 1-year-old child had a three-dimensional sticker stuck in her mouth, causing blister-like swelling on the palate, highlighting the risk of unusual foreign bodies in infants.

Contribution

This case report highlights the risk of three-dimensional stickers as foreign bodies in infants' mouths, which can cause palatal inflammation.

Findings

A three-dimensional sticker was found attached to the hard palate of an infant.

The foreign body caused blister-like swelling and white lesions in the oral cavity.

The sticker was removed intact after careful re-examination.

Abstract

Infants may place various objects in their mouths during the developmental process, which can sometimes involve life-threatening risks, such as choking. We describe the case of a 1-year 3-month-old female with a foreign body in the oral cavity. She was referred to our hospital with chief complaints of suspected supernumerary teeth and blisters, and the initial examination revealed blister-like swelling and a white swelling on the hard palate. Intraoral photographs were obtained and examined from multiple angles, revealing findings that resembled a character. Careful re-examination showed that a three-dimensional sticker was attached to the hard palate, which could be removed in one piece. It is important for dental professionals to conduct intraoral examinations of pediatric patients with the understanding that unexpected findings may be present, and think about a foreign body in palatal lesions. In addition, this report highlights a new risk for caregivers supervising infants, as seemingly harmless stickers can remain in the mouth for extended periods.

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