Oral piercing: the hole story

Oral and perioral jewelry is increasingly being viewed as an acceptable fashion statement in our society. Accordingly, dental professionals are being presented with questions by their patients as to the risks associated with this form of body piercing. This article reviews recommendations for individuals with, or contemplating, an oral piercing, common locations of piercings, risks associated with the piercing procedure, types of jewelry used, and post-piercing home care instructions. Current trends in the piercing industry will be discussed, and the recommendation made that dental professionals advocate for improved safety standards at body modification studios.