A patient comes to the office for an emergency visit complaining of a toothache in the left posterior mandible. On clinical examination you notice a gray-to-white patch on the left posterior buccal mucosa. On questioning, the patient tells you that this area is also painful. After reviewing the patient's medical history, you question the patient regarding his recent use of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is a classic case of aspirin burn caused by the misuse of aspirin. The patient placed aspirin near the tooth that was aching; thus necrosis of the mucosa occurred, resulting in the painful white patch on the buccal mucosa. A chemical burn from the use of hydrogen peroxide would be more diffuse, probably bilateral, and not a white plaque. Antibiotics would be taken systemically and most likely swallowed. Commercial mouthwashes would not cause a localized lesion.

A Patient Comes to the Office for an Emergency Visit