Intraoral and perioral piercings are associated with all of the following EXCEPT:

Correct answer: B. A reduced chance of local infection

• A. The jewellery is a plaque-retentive feature and accumulates biofilm and calculus.
• B. CORRECT — this is the EXCEPT. Piercings INCREASE infection risk substantially. The tract is a persistent breach in the mucosal barrier that is continually re-contaminated by oral flora, and reported complications include localized infection, Ludwig angina, endocarditis and hepatitis transmission from unsterile technique.
• C. Chipping and fracture of the anterior and premolar teeth from the metal ball is one of the most frequent findings.
• D. Lingual barbells produce characteristic recession on the lingual of the mandibular incisors from mechanical trauma; labret studs cause buccal recession.

Note: Counselling points for a patient who will not remove the piercing: switch to an acrylic or PTFE ball rather than metal, shorten the barbell length, and monitor the recession sites at every recall with photographs.