Potential complications associated with
oral piercing
Elective oral piercing as a form of ornamentation
or self-expression appears to be gaining popularity around the
world. Several reports of the dangers associated with this practice
appear in dental and medical literature. Clinicians should be
aware of the risk associated with elective oral piercing in order
to be able to provide patients with pre-piercing consultation
or to manage post-piercing complications.
Potential complications associated with oral piercing include:
Pain, edema, infection, infectious disease transmission, airway
obstruction, bleeding, fractured teeth, soft tissue trauma, difficulty
with chewing and swallowing, interference with speech, hypersalivation,
paraesthesia, aspiration of jewelry, scar tissue formation, obstruction
of radiographic images, and metal sensitivity.
[Leichter JW, Lovegrove J, Murray C
Elective lip piercing and gingival recession: case report
Oral Health 2003;93(10):51-56.]