Severe oropharyngeal trauma caused by toothbrush--case report and review of 13 cases.

Foreign body trauma to the oral cavity is fairly common. However, severe injuries caused by a toothbrush are rarely reported. We report a case of a 35-year-old epileptic patient who suffered seizures while brushing his teeth. During this episode, he self-inflicted a grievous injury to his oro-pharynx with his toothbrush which went unnoticed for 11 months. Thirteen cases of toothbrush induced trauma to this area are reviewed and a classification of these injuries is proposed. Complications related to these injuries are highlighted and their management discussed.