Reference/Features

Snowballing issues

3 mins read Oral health and mouth cancer
Sharon Kidd discusses oral piercings and the importance of positive habit shaping.

Once a form of rebellion and iconic with punk culture, piercings have become a common part of modern lifestyle, joining tattoos as a mostly accepted method of self-expression.

Oral piercings, including those of the lips, tongue and frenulum, are a large part of this, and whilst the latest statistics for piercing prevalence in the UK date back to 2008 – where around nine per cent were in the tongue, and four per cent in the lip – it’s not unusual to see many individuals with the accessory adorned in everyday life, and especially so in the dental chair.

Patients with a peri-oral or oral piercing need to work closely with their dentist to ensure that the accessory does not negatively impact their oral health. The range of potential complications is extensive, and appropriate steps must be taken to minimise negative impacts.

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