Consequences of Oral Health Issues and Beyond: An Examination of the Effects of Piercings
Body piercings, a popular form of self-expression, come with a range of potential risks and complications. These can affect dental health, tissue infection, allergies, aesthetics, and even oncological risks.
Oral piercings, such as tongue or lip piercings, can cause significant damage to teeth and gums. The constant contact and trauma caused by jewelry can lead to tooth fractures, gum recession, and gum disease. Mandibular piercings, those through the lower mouth or chin, pose an even greater risk, as they can potentially damage nerves, blood vessels, and internal bleeding may occur. Long-term impacts on saliva ducts are also possible [4].
Tissue infection is a significant concern with body piercings. Approximately 10-20% of piercings may become infected, leading to serious conditions like Ludwig's angina, Neisseria endocarditis, or infections with bacteria like Haemophilus aphrophilus [1][5]. Piercings also increase the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and tetanus if proper sterilization practices are not followed [2][3]. Cross-contamination risks increase if needles or jewelry are reused or not sterilized adequately [2].
Allergic reactions can occur due to the metal used in the jewelry. Jewelry made from stainless steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold is recommended to minimize allergic reactions, while silver, bronze, and copper have higher allergy risks [3].
Aesthetic consequences include scarring, keloid formation, piercing rejection, and permanent holes, especially with piercings like labret or cheek piercings [3][4]. Some cartilage piercings can cause lasting damage or collapse of surrounding tissue, altering the ear’s or other areas’ shapes [4].
While there is no direct evidence linking piercings to cancer, chronic irritation and inflammation—conditions sometimes associated with body modifications—theoretically increase oncogenic risks. However, this is not specifically confirmed here nor widely established [6].
In summary, body piercings pose risks of infection (including serious systemic infections), dental and gum damage (especially oral piercings), allergic reactions to metals, aesthetic scarring or structural tissue changes, and potential transmission of blood-borne diseases. Careful selection of piercing materials, professional procedure hygiene, and good aftercare are essential to minimize these risks [1][2][3][4][5]. It is important to note that many teenagers who experience complications from piercings wish they had known the risks before getting pierced [7].
References:
- Mayo Clinic
- American Academy of Dermatology
- Johns Hopkins Medicine
- British Dental Journal
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Cancer Research UK
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Science plays a crucial role in understanding the potential risks of body piercings. Workplace-wellness programs can educate employees about the medical-conditions associated with piercings, such as dental issues, tissue infections, and allergic reactions. Health-and-wellness initiatives should encourage fitness-and-exercise, mental-health awareness, and skin-care practices, but they should also advise against body modifications that may lead to skin-conditions or complications. Therapies-and-treatments for infected piercings, oral damage, or allergic reactions may include antibiotics or switching to hypoallergenic jewelry. CBD oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, could potentially provide relief for chronic irritation or inflammation caused by body piercings, although further research is needed.
