14/10/2025
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A 12-year-old boy was brought to the dental clinic with severe swelling, pain, and a foul odor from his gums. On examination, clinicians were shocked to find multiple live maggots moving within the necrotic tissue — a rare and alarming condition known as oral myiasis. The infestation had developed in areas of long-standing gum infection that had been left untreated for weeks.
Further investigation revealed poor oral hygiene and open gingival wounds that provided an entry point for flies to deposit their eggs. Within days, these eggs hatched into larvae that began feeding on the decomposing gum tissue. The boy’s gums were swollen, ulcerated, and emitted a characteristic putrid smell typical of advanced soft-tissue infection.
The treatment involved the careful manual removal of dozens of maggots using forceps under magnification, followed by irrigation with antiseptic solutions and local debridement of necrotic tissue. Systemic antibiotics and supportive therapy were started immediately to control secondary infection and inflammation.
Within a week of intensive care, the infection subsided and healthy granulation tissue began to form. The case highlights a rare but serious complication of neglected oral hygiene — demonstrating how simple gum infections can evolve into a severe parasitic infestation if left untreated.
🧠Source:
Oral Myiasis: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review.
PMCID: PMC4754572 PMID: 26884780
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Disclaimer: This content is shared strictly for public awareness and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice.
