Various painful oral adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination: a case series

Abstract

Background: Adverse events are increasingly being reported with the growing COVID-19 vaccination rate. However, the current literature on orofacial adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination are severely limited. With the continuation of the global vaccination campaign the incidence of oral adverse effects will inevitably increase.

Case presentation: Clinical characteristics and treatment results of nine patients who complained of pain and discomfort of the oral cavity following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination were analyzed. Swelling and pain of the posterior palatal area, pain on palatal area of the central incisor, pain on the mucosa of the lip and lower gingiva, right preauricular region and right posterior lower gingiva, the buccal mucosa, tongue, and the right lower second molar area were the reported symptoms. Ulceration and swelling of the oral mucosa were found in certain cases. The symptoms were generally mild and responded well to medication within a relatively short period of time.

Conclusion: Oral adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination were manageable with treatment. Clinicians should understand the true nature of orofacial adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccines and guide patients in decision-making.

Keywords: Case report; Complication; Oral mucosa; Orofacial pain; SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Fig. 1

Multiple ulcerative lesions with surrounding erythema and swelling of the right posterior hard palate area before treatment (A) and re-epithelialization after 2-weeks of medication (B)

Fig. 2

Cracked and dry lower lip before treatment (A) and decrease of clinical signs at 1-month follow up (B)