The prevalence of oral and peri‐oral piercings in young adults: a systematic review

• Published in: International journal of dental hygiene Vol. 10; no. 3; pp. 223 - 228
• Main Authors: Hennequin‐Hoenderdos, NL, Slot, DE, Weijden, GA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01.08.2012; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Biological and medical sciences; Body piercing; Body Piercing - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Female; Humans; Lip; Male; Medical sciences; Mouth; Non tumoral diseases; oral piercing; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; peri‐oral piercing; prevalence; Sex Distribution; Systematic review; Tongue; Young Adult; Young adults; Human; peri-oral piercing; Prevalence; Young adult; Oral administration; oral piercing; Review; Dentistry; systematic review; Epidemiology; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 1601-5029; 1601-5037
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2012.00566.x

Objective To determine the prevalence of oral and/or peri‐oral piercings in young adults based on a systematic review of the available literature. Material and methods The MEDLINE‐PubMed, Cochrane‐CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were comprehensively searched through April 2012 to identify appropriate studies. The prevalence of oral and/or peri‐oral piercings was evaluated in the general population, as well as by gender and by anatomical site. Results An independent screening of 1711 unique titles and s resulted in 13 publications that met the eligibility criteria. In total, 11 249 participants (mean age, 20.6 years) were questioned and/or examined for oral and/or peri‐oral piercings. In the studies that provided information concerning the presence of oral and/or peri‐oral piercings, the prevalence varied from 0.8% to 12%, resulting in a mean prevalence of 5.2%. When examined based on anatomical site, the most common sites were the tongue (a prevalence of 5.6%), followed by the lip (1.5%). Oral piercings were more prevalent in women (5.6%) than men (1.6%). Conclusion Among the populations that were studied, oral and/or peri‐oral piercings were observed in a relatively small percentage (5.2%) of young adults. The prevalence was approximately four times higher among females when compared with males. On the basis of the literature, the tongue was the most common oral site for a piercing. Dental care professionals are in an ideal position to offer information regarding safe piercings and to provide advice regarding oral hygiene, aftercare and possible complications.