On the association between oral piercings and periodontal conditions—A case series. Issue 4 (9th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Julia Caroline; Calderaro, Salvatore; Weiger, Roland; Walter, Clemens
• Is Part Of: International journal of dental hygiene. Volume 17:Issue 4(2019:Nov.)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 326
• Publication Date: 2019-06-09
• Subjects: gingival recession -- inflammation -- lip piercing -- oral piercing -- periodontal disease -- risk factors -- tongue piercing; Dental hygiene -- Periodicals; Dental hygienists -- Periodicals; 617.60105
• DOI: 10.1111/idh.12403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1601-5029

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the association between oral piercings and periodontal health or inflammation in patients seeking treatment at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Material and methods: Records of patients from the pool of patients at the Department of Periodontology, Endodontology and Cariology were consecutively screened between November 2016 and January 2017. Eighteen patients with a tongue and/or a lip piercing were included. Three out of 18 patients wore both piercings, that is 14 tongue piercings and seven lip piercings were assessed. Epidemiologic, socio‐economic, piercing characteristics and clinical parameters were recorded. Periodontal findings in teeth close to the piercing were compared to the parameters of the total dentition. Results: In patients with a tongue piercing (n = 14), percentages of sites with bleeding on probing, probing pocket depths ≥6 mm, clinical attachment loss ≥6 mm and gingival recessions ≥2 mm were more frequently increased in teeth close to the piercing compared to teeth not affected by the piercing. In patients with a lip piercing (n = 7), periodontal findings did not differ markedly in teeth close to the piercing compared to teeth not affected by the piercing. Conclusions: Tongue piercings may negatively affect periodontal conditions of teeth with close proximity to the piercing.