Case report of oral mucosa garlic burn during COVID‐19 pandemic outbreak and role of teledentistry to manage oral health in an older adult woman

Abstract

Background The COVID‐19 global pandemic and the uncertainty of an effective treatment protocol have resulted in fear and anxiety, which have increased the search for natural products to prevent the disease and to manage the symptoms. Aims To discuss the negative effects of garlic used as a preventive measure against the novel coronavirus. Methods and results This study reports a case of oral mucosa burn on the dorsal surface of the tongue in a 72‐year‐old woman. The patient was using raw garlic daily during the pandemic to improve her immunological system. She scheduled a dental appointment and was assessed by teledentistry due to the pandemic, in which a detailed anamnesis was carried out. The burned area and ulceration were identified by video call and photographs. The patient was instructed to cease the habit immediately and change to a soft and non‐acid/spicy/hot diet, which resulted in a great recovery 2 days later. She was monitored for 2 weeks until her tongue was completely healed. Conclusion This case highlights the consequences of inappropriate use of natural product and how self‐treatment could negatively influence oral health. Additionally, it shows the importance of teledentistry for oral diagnosis and treatment during a pandemic.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies

“…To conclude, GE bulbs can be effectively used to treat periodontal and dental caries infections. However, care must be taken while directly taking garlic as there is a risk of mucosal damage by the GE [ 62 ].…”

The Effect of Allicin on the Proteome of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Calu-3 Cells

“…Correlate With the Intracellular Glutathione Levels in Vero E6 and Calu-3 Cells While allicin has many beneficial effects for human health, crushed garlic is also toxic and harmful for human cells. Fresh garlic can cause severe cellular and tissue damage upon direct exposure to the epithelial cells and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and the skin, such as garlic burns (Bautista et al, 2005;Al-Qattan, 2009;Vargo et al, 2017;Hitl et al, 2021;Muniz et al, 2021). Thus, we first assessed the toxicity of allicin in Calu-3 and Vero E6 cells, which are used here as cell culture models for SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

“…2021.746795/full#supplementary-material Author Disclaimer: Crushed garlic acts as strong irritant and activates the transient receptor potential channel (TRPA1) in pain-sensing neurons, resulting in pain, inflammation and neurotoxic effects (Bautista et al, 2005). Garlic can be highly toxic to human cells and caused severe garlic burns by its direct exposure to the skin or mucous membranes of the respiratory tract (Bautista et al, 2005;Al-Qattan, 2009;Vargo et al, 2017;Hitl et al, 2021;Muniz et al, 2021). Consequently, any ingestion, inhalation or introduction of fresh garlic can clearly be harmful and hazardous for patients, causing even more severe damage of the lung or the skin.…”

Is Teledentistry a Method for Optimizing Dental Practice, Even in the Post-Pandemic Period? An Integrative Review

“…A case report published by Muniz et al, in 2021, presented a 72-year-old woman with oral mucosa chemical burn, localized on the dorsal tongue surface, due to the daily usage of raw garlic. In this situation, TD proved to be an efficient tool, due to the rapidity of the patient's professional evaluation, as well as follow-up [43].…”