For many it is an aesthetic element, a personality trait or simply one more earring, but the reality is that piercings can lead to problems for our oral health. And the fact is that, far from what is usually thought, piercings cause numerous complications and oral injuries in most of those who wear them.
According to the data, 72% of patients with these piercings have suffered some complication after their placement. In all of them, the most frequent problems are inflammation (35%); pain (18%); difficulties in speaking and chewing (15%); altered taste (5%); bleeding (4%); increased salivation; infection and paresthesia (2%) and allergy (1%).
It should also be known that in almost half of the users, 48%, there are lesions in the gum and supporting tissues of the teeth, something that is of particular concern to dentists. These cases are lesions in the area where the piercing rests on the gum that cause chronic inflammation and bone loss, so that the tooth loses part of its support. This means that in the long term, this loss of insertion can increase the risk of infections and even cause the tooth to fall out. Regarding this complication it should be noted that most people with metal piercings and extra oral placement are more exposed, that is, they are more susceptible to this type of injury.