Oral piercing complications among teenage students

• Main Author: Firoozmand, Leily Macedo [UNESP]
• Publication Date: 2009
• Other Authors: Paschotto, Daniele Riêra [UNESP], Almeida, Janete Dias [UNESP]
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Download full: http://dx.doi.org/10.3290/j.ohpd.a15271; http://hdl.handle.net/11449/225560
• topic: Body piercing; Dental plaque; Infection

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the use of oral piercings and their possible associated complications among students aged 14 to 18 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 927 students from private and state schools were invited to participate in this study. The participants were subjected to clinical examination, and a questionnaire was provided for collecting the following data: gender, piercing location, oral complications or alterations, and cleaning frequency. Results: Among the students who were analysed, 33 had oral piercings (3.6%); 69.70% were from state schools and 30.30% were from private schools. There was a slight predominance of males (54.55%) compared with females (45.45%). The tongue was the most common location for piercing (66.6%). The complications and alterations associated with the use of piercing were observed in 74.3% of the cases. Conclusions: In the population that was studied, oral piercing was observed in a small percentage of teenage students (3.6%) and there were local complications associated with its use.