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    Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Piercing and Tattoos > Q&A
    Posted on: 04/04/2005

    Question

    People say that getting a ring is better than getting a stud when getting a lip piercing. Why is that? And I hear that there can be problems with receeding gums and such with lip piercings. What are the possible health hazards for getting lip piercings?

    Answer

    I did some research in order to respond to your question.

    I did not find any recommendations for using rings instead of studs for lip piercing. In fact, there was a suggestion that studs might actually be safer since they have less of a tendency to move around, therefore having a slightly lower risk of infection. Also, there have been reports of dental problems such as receding gums from a lip piercing. It is thought that this is due to the metal rubbing on the teeth and gums. The other main complication from lip piercing is infection, especially since the mouth is constantly filled with bacteria no matter what. It is impossible to sterilize the mouth completely.

    Therefore, all the dental organizations whose information I reviewed discourage any type of piercing in the mouth.


    Answered By:
    Irene Lin , M.D.


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