DANGERS OF PIERCING ORAL STRUCTRES



Multiple piercing of tongue

Pierced lip

 

Oral piercing involves the insertion of an object usually metal into/through the oral structures. Commonly pierced site include the tongue, lips, cheek, frenum, uvula (Moore, 2005)

The uvula and side of the tongue are the two most dangerous sites of oral piercing due to the risk of airway obstruction by the jewelry and abundant blood vessels respectively.

The presence of oral jewelry predisposes to retention of food remains thus creating an ideal

environment for a large accumulation of plaque and calculus (Berenguer,et al.,2006).

Often times it is seen in young adults as a results of peer group pressure for esthetics reasons. Decoration, memory of a particular event and a sign of identification were other reasons documented by Inchingolo,et al.(2011) for oral piercing.

The procedure is usually done by untrained individuals with no knowledge of the human anatomy hence complications which vary from nerve damage to damage to blood vessels.

Procedures carried out under septic condition results in infection of the pierced site and adjacent structures. Severe illnesses from spread of infection have also been documented. The oral structures are not the only mutilated sites for esthetics, the eyebrow, nose and belly button have also been noted. The ear piercing is regarded as normal for female children in certain customs however extremism in its use exists amongst the youth in which case several holes carrying multiple ear-rings are pierced for “esthetics” reasons. Occasionally, males are also seen with pierced ears.

Effects of oral piercing

The most common dental problem registered was chipping of the teeth, especially in association with tongue piercing. Gingival recession was seen as a result of lip piercing with studs.

-Excessive bleeding from traumatized blood vessels.

-Damaged to nerves which causes persistent pain.

-Sepsis i.e. infection from contaminated instruments for piercing oral structures.

-Pathologic migration of teeth as from habits of inserting the stud between teeth.

 

-Death can result from sepsis

-Transmission of diseases e.g. Hepatitis, HIV

 

-Taste disturbance
 

-Allergy to metal used

 

-Increase salivary flow

 

-speech defect

-Moore,et al.,2005 reported chipping of the teeth as the most common dental problem associated with tonque piercing .

In Nigeria, oral piercing is not as rampant as in the developed countries however owing to the fact that Nigerians are fond of following the western worlds in words and deeds. It is advisable that this act be regarded as something not worth the troubles that can be associated with it.

Avoid oral piercing as that oral cavity is of best esthetics as made by its creator and use it for the most important purpose for which it is made strictly FEEDING towards a healthy you.

 

 

References:

1. Inchingolo F, Tatullo M, Abenavoli FM, Marrelli M, Inchingolo AD, Palladino A, Inchingolo AM, Dipalma G. Oral Piercing and Oral Diseases: A Short Time Retrospective Study. Int J Med Sci 2011; 8(8):649-652.

2. R J G De Moor, A M J C De Witte, K I M Delmé, M A A De Bruyne, G M G Hommez & D Goyvaerts(2005): Dental and oral complications of lip and tongue piercings. British Dental Journal 199, 506 – 509

3. Berenguer G, Forrest A, Horning GM, Towle HJ, Karpinia K (2006): Localized periodontitis as a long-term effect of oral piercing: a case report. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2006;27(1):24–7.

4. N Escudero-Castaño, M.A Perea-García, J Campo-Trapero, Cano-Sánchez, and A Bascones-Martínez(2008): Oral and Perioral Piercing Complications. Open Dent J. 2008; 2: 133–136.