ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of lesions of the oral mucosa in Mexican pediatric patients. METHODS: Complete oral exploration in search of oral lesions was performed in all pediatric patients who attended the prevention service at C.E.O. during a period of 2 months. RESULTS: A total 86 lesions (7.38%) were detected, 59.31% in males and 40.69% in females with an age range of 1 to 16 years. The most frequent lesions were fibrous hyperplasia (43.02%), erythematous candidiosis (25.58%), and oral ulcers (16.27%). CONCLUSIONS: Of the lesions detected, 70.93% were secondary to poor oral hygiene and the use of orthodontic apparatus. It is important to be aggressive in oral hygiene to decrease the prevalence of oral lesions in this group of patients.
