Comprehensive assessment of dental behaviour and oral status in patients with tongue piercing-results of a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Aim of this cross-sectional case-control study was the comprehensive examination of oral health, oral behaviour and oral health-related quality of life of patients with tongue piercing. Furthermore, different piercing related factors and the presence of habits should be considered regarding their potential association to piercing-related complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants with tongue piercing (n = 50) and a matched control (n = 50) were included. Dental examination included decayed-, missing- and filled-teeth-index (DMF-T) and the presence of non-carious tooth defects. Periodontal examination contained of periodontal probing depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and recession. Piercing-related factors, oral behaviour as well as oral health-related quality of life [German short form of oral health impact profile (OHIP G14)] were assessed based on questionnaires. STATISTICS: Man-Whitney U test, chi-square and Fisher's exact test (significance level p < 0.05). RESULTS: Participants with tongue piercing suffered from worse DMF-T, PPD, BOP and recession (pi < 0.01). Higher prevalence of enamel cracks and trough-shaped abrasions were found in piercing-group (pi < 0.01). Additionally, participants with tongue piercing showed worse oral behaviour, insufficient cleaning of piercing and in majority of cases (80%) calculus formation at piercing surface as well as comparable OHIP-G14 to control (p = 0.39). While piercing design was associated to both, recession and non-carious tooth defects (pi < 0.05), only infractures of enamel were associated to the presence habits (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tongue piercing show insufficient dental and periodontal health as well as reduced oral behaviour. Thereby, piercing design and wearing period is associated to recessions and non-carious tooth defects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased attention of patients wearing tongue piercing in dental practice is necessary.

Prevalence of periodontal pathogenic bacteria at different oral sites of patients with tongue piercing - results of a cross sectional study.

Aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence of selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria in different sites of patients with tongue piercing (TP) in comparison to a control group (C). Fifty participants in each group were recruited. Samples from the biofilm originating from the piercing surface (TP group), periodontal pocket, tongue as well as cheek surface were examined regarding presence of 11 selected potentially periodontal pathogenic bacteria based on polymerase-chain reaction (PCR). In the periodontal pocket of the participants, the majority of examined bacteria were more frequently detected in TP compared to C group (pi < 0.05). At tongue and cheek surface, the prevalence of Treponema denticola (P < 0.01) and Prevotella intermedia (P < 0.01) was significantly higher in TP. For the majority of bacteria, a significant correlation between TP surface and periodontal pocket was detected (P < 0.05). In conclusion TP must be considered as potentially important ecological niche and reservoir for periodontal pathogens.