Oral piercing: risk factor for cancer?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to execute a discussion, trough literature review, about the use of oral piercing, emphasizing the consequences and complications that may occur due to its continuous use. The perforation practice of oral and face structures to the placement of jewels has been used for many civilizations. The purposes for the use are aesthetic, cultural, political and religious. Nowadays, this practice acquired a great popularity and this situation is usually associated with youth, signaling to sexual attraction, social provocation, rebelling and aesthetic. The placement and use of oral piercing involve possible complications, that can be originated due to an infection or not, like inflammatory and pre-cancer lesions. Therefore, the surgeon – dentist, as a health professional, must be prepared to instruct the users about the risks and care involved in order to purpose public politics to regulate and inspect the professionals who place the piercings and their establishment.