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A Mistaken Health Belief Resulting in Gingival Injury: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Pearlman Braham A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.1994.65.3.284
Subject(s) - medicine , dentistry , tooth brushing , health belief model , oral health , health education , nursing , public health , toothbrush , brush , electrical engineering , engineering
T his case report describes extensive ulceration of the gingiva caused by harsh and repetitive toothbrushing. The lesions were localized to several areas of the mouth. Despite considerable pain, the patient had persisted in the causative toothbrushing pattern. He had absorbed an invalid health belief that when pain or bleeding occurred, he should utilize consistent harsh brushing in the affected areas. Following re‐education, this brushing behavior was discarded and healing ensued. The origin of his health belief and its relationship to the behavioral principle of self‐efficacy are discussed. J Periodontol 1994;65:284–286 .