Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2025
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Awareness of dental complications with oral piercings
Manal Masood1, Laurence J Walsh1, Sobia Zafar1
1School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Objectives:
To investigate knowledge and awareness of dental complications with oral piercings among adults with oral piercings, a control population with no piercings and body-piercing professionals in South-East Queensland, Australia.
Methods:
Participants recruited from public and private dental clinics and body-piercing professionals from piercing centres in the same region completed questionnaires to assess knowledge and attitudes.
Results:
Respondents comprised 54 pierced individuals, 54 controls and 35 body-piercing professionals. Only 13% of the pierced group were informed about oral piercing-related complications, and 14% of body-piercing professionals did not warn their clients about long-term complications. The latter included chipped teeth (26%) and gingival recession (15%). About 76% play with their piercing, developing teeth grinding (15%), jaw clenching (15%) and sleep disturbances (4%). Interestingly, 41% of those with oral piercings advised others against getting piercings.
Conclusions:
There is a lack of awareness about dental-related complications among pierced individuals and body-piercing professionals. A significant proportion of pierced individuals advise others against getting piercings. Body piercers do not consistently advise clients about risks associated with oral piercings. Thus, it is recommended that programmes be developed to improve awareness of oral and dental complications associated with oral piercings.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
01:11Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:26Bone Markings
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...