ORAL AND PERIORAL PIERCINGS
Historically, body piercings have been an expression
of culture. The Eskimos would pierce the lips of
female infants as a purification ritual and the lips
of boys as a passage into puberty. The Mayans pierced
tongues to demonstrate courage and strength.
Today, piercings are a form of body art which reflects
an expression of fashion, daring and risk. Teenagers
and older adults of all professions have oral piercings
but it is most popular among the 18-30 year olds. The
less permanent nature of piercings appeal to those wishing
to make a personal statement (as opposed to tattoos).
Oral piercing sites are the tongue, cheeks, frenum, upper
and lower lips and uvula (the soft tissue that hangs
at the back of the mouth) or even a combination of these
sites. The tongue is the most
common area and is usually pierced at the tip and
through the middle where a barbell is then
placed. Tongue rings are used when the piercing
site is on the side or top of the tongue. However,
since the tongue is very vascular, major blood vessels
must be avoided. Other dental/medical complications
immediately after tongue piercings may include pain,
hemorrhaging, nerve damage, swelling of the tongue, Ludwigs
angina (swelling serious enough to block the airway),
endocarditis (inflammation of the heart or its valves),
transmission of diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, herpes
simplex virus, tetanus and difficulty with eating, swallowing
and speech. Other risks associated w/tongue piercings
can result in gum recession, loss of taste, mobility
and numbness of tongue, excessive salivation, chipping
of teeth w/possible nerve involvement, allergy to metals,
galvanic currents and possible aspiration or ingestion
if the jewelry becomes loose.
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Tongue Barbell |
Tongue Ring |
The lip is a popular area to pierce and can be located
anywhere along the lip line. A ring is worn by
encircling the top or bottom or sides of the lip. Another
area frequently pierced is under the lower lip at the
midline where a metal stud is placed inside and outside
the lip. However, these piercings can also press
against the gum and cause recession resulting in loss
of gum or bone and necessitating periodontal surgery
to correct the problem. In a recent study comparing
the gums of 29 people (all about 22 years old), 41% of
those with lip piercings had receding gums.
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Lip Ring |
Ball Stud - Labret |
Recession |
Less common areas to pierce are the uvula, frenum and
cheeks. The uvula is difficult due to lack of access
to the back of the throat and the gag reflex. The
lingual frenum (thin tissue attachment between the lip
and the gum) piercings are known as “web piercings” and “dimples” are
cheek piercings which is placed in the location of the
natural dimples.
Still want to pierce your tongue or lip? Look
for these useful suggestions:
-Check
for infection control and sterilization standards—disposable gloves,
sterile or
disposable
instruments, sterilized jewelry
-Look
for quality piercers—Association of Professional Piercers (APP) which
is a
nonprofit
organization dedicated to uphold safety standards and certification of
profession
piercers
-Quality of jewelry—surgical grade stainless steel, 14-karat gold or
niobium oral
jewelry
(the finishes on costume jewelry can quickly wear off, leaving rough surfaces
that
can irritate the pierced sites sometimes leading to infection)
-Appropriate
size of jewelry is used
-A pierced
tongue will need a shorter barbell after the swelling subsides and the healing
is
complete
-Diligently
keep the mouth clean by flossing and brushing daily
-Having
a cosmetic dentist, such as Dr. Wilcox, check your piercings on a regular
basis
will
help keep your mouth healthy
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