Assessment of Oral Conditions and Functions With Oral Piercings

Objectives: This study will assess the effects of the oral piercings on the oral conditions and functions.
This will inform knowledge of the risk of getting oral piercing on the lips, cheek or tongue as well as tips for taking care of injury.
Likewise, it will teach us to be aware of this growing trend on the hazardous effects of the oral piercings in our body.
Furthermore, this will serve as a warning to avoid oral piercing that will cause problem on the health.
Lastly, this will guide dental practitioners and students in providing information about oral piercings.
Methods: Descriptive method was used in this study. Questionnaires were disseminated for the profile of the subjects and mouth examination was performed to evaluate the oral cavity.
Results: Results revealed that majority of the subjects who wear oral piercings are males (66%), ranging from 16-18 years of age (34%), and had been wearing it for 1-23 months (50%). 78% of the subjects used steel oral piercing material and 92% had chosen barbell design of piercing jewelry. Most of the oral piercings are located at the tongue (74%), followed by facial area (15.52%), lips (8.62%) and cheeks (1.72%). The 43 subjects with oral piercing on the tongue experienced inflammation on site of piercing (79%), difficulty in swallowing (74%) and increased salivary flow (60%). All of the subjects with oral piercing on the facial area had suffered from inflammation on site of piercing and only 3 or 60% on the lips. 39 or 68% who used steel oral piercing caused inflammation on site of piercing.
Conclusions: Based on the above findings, there is a significant effect of oral piercing on the oral conditions and functions.