According to new research, many individuals with oral piercings have receding and bleeding gums, as well as significant pockets and gaps around their teeth.
In eight research, 408 patients with a total of 236 lip and 236 tongue piercings were examined by Walter and his colleagues. In total, 1 in 5 people had multiple oral piercings. The participants said they had been wearing metal jewellery in their piercings for the majority of the time, which ranged from one month to 19 years.
Dr. Clemens Walter, a professor at University Medicine Greifswald in Germany who is also one of the study authors said “These are all signs of periodontitis, also called gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.”
In the research, the teeth and gums close to the piercings were contrasted with other parts of the mouth. Researchers discovered greater gaps between teeth in 3 out of 4 investigations, deeper pockets around teeth next to tongue piercings in 3 out of 5 research, bleeding gums in 2 out of 3 studies, and receding gums in all 4 studies.
Furthermore, receding gums in the region were seen in 3 of 4 investigations that examined lip piercings. The evaluation of the study was given on Wednesday in Copenhagen during a European Federation of Periodontology meeting. Conventionally, research that is presented at meetings is regarded as preliminary until it is published in a peer-reviewed publication.
According to the research, oral piercings, particularly those in the tongue, are bad for the gums and teeth next to them.
Walter said in a meeting news release. “In those with tongue piercings, the damage was particularly notable around the bottom two front teeth, called the mandibular incisors, which are important for biting and chewing food.” The likelihood of tooth and gum damage appeared to increase with time, he added. His advice: “People with tongue and lip piercings should remove them to protect their teeth and gums from further damage,” Walter said.
The tongue is the most popular place for oral piercings, which are present in about 5% of young adults.
According to the authors of the study, women are approximately four times more likely than men to receive an oral piercing.
Similar results from earlier study have been obtained. The authors of the current study recommended dentists to inform their patients of the potential risks associated with having mouth piercings.
Parvathy Sukumaran 
