Body piercing may not be so cool...( CHICAGO March 22 2002 A new study* p...),Health

Researchers from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and Ohio State University College of Dentistry examined and surveyed 52 young adults with pierced tongues. They found gum recession in 35 percent of subjects with pierced tongues for four or more years, and in 50 percent wearing long-stemmed barbells for two or more years.

"During tongue movement, long-stem barbells are more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells," said Dr. Dimitris Tatakis, professor of periodontology at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry and coauthor of the study. "Over time, this damage may cause the gums to recede, which can lead to more serious dental/oral complications."

Additionally, 47 percent of young adults wearing either type of barbell for four or more years had chipped teeth. The prevalence of tooth chipping was significantly greater in those wearing short-stemmed barbells (1/4 inch - 5/8 inch) for four or more years.

Researchers believe tooth chipping is a result of habitual biting of the barbell. "A short barbell is possibly easier to position between teeth, which could be one reason why we are seeing more chipped teeth in this group," said Tatakis. "Another factor that was not investigated could be the size or material type of the screw caps attached to the barbell."

Dr. Timothy Roberts from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York presented study results on 4,500 adolescents aged 12 to 21 and found that teens with body piercings are more likely to smoke cigarettes, use drugs and exhibit other types of unhealthy behavior. Study findings were presented at the Society of Adolescent Medicine's annual meeting in Boston.

"Mouth piercings and smoking combined could cause a mouthfu
'"/>

Contact: Shelia Naab
Shelia@perio.org
312-573-3243
American Academy of Periodontology
22-Mar-2002