Oral piercing and its implications on the health of oral tissues: Aesthetics or mutilation?

Oral piercing is an emerging trend among the youth in the present times. It is a popular yet bizarre method of body art and is considered a way to display one's cool personality. The piercing procedure is often painful and carries several complications of the oral tissues such as profuse bleeding, damage to the nerves and vital structures, infections, dislodgement and aspiration of the jewelry and chances of chocking. Dental practitioners are encountering increasing number of cases with various oral and dental complications of this practice. Thus, a comprehensive information about the possible risks and their management is the need of the hour.