Oral and perioral piercings: An analysis of complications, management and use of Oral Hygiene Techniques

Abstract

AIM: To do a literature review on complications, management and use of oral hygiene techniques for people who wear oral and peri oral piercings. OBJECTIVE: This article tries to decode the various complications of the oral cavity associated with piercing and methods to avoid potential after effects such as their post- management and oral hygiene techniques. BACKGROUND: Piercing of the oral cavity is a popular form of expression of ones self, especially in the Western world, which has several associated complications. Oral piercing of tongue, cheek, uvula and frenum are common between young adults. Tongue piercings are the most common. The first effect of piercing would be swelling of that region. To avoid embedding of the jewellery into mucosa, they are initially large and then the size subsequently shortened to avoid accidental biting and causing trauma to teeth. The side effects include swelling, pain, fractured teeth, infection, hyper salivation, gingival trauma and difficulty in mastication. The article will include various precautionary methods to avoid the after effects and their management such as diet recommendations. REASON FOR RESEARCH: To understand the complications of this popular body art.