Motivations and Complications of the Use of Oral Piercing in Cuban Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Piercings constitute a social reality and are considered ornaments of body art. Its use in adolescents is linked to personal experiences, rebellion, construction of personal image or for sexual reasons. Parallel to the increase in its popularity, an increase in associated complications has been observed. Objective: Explaining the motivations and complications associated to the use of oral piercing in Cuban adolescents. Methods: A systematic review of bucal piercings and adolescents was conducted. Different databases such as MEDLINE, Scielo, Elsevier, Springer, and PubMed were consulted, using descriptors related to the topic. Articles from the last five years were included, 57 complete articles referred to the objective of the work were consulted, but only 48 were selected. Conclusions: Among the most frequent complications described are: pain, inflammation, infectious processes, disease transmission, dental fractures, halitosis, gingivitis and tears or bleeding.

Keywords

• piercing bucal, salud oral, motivaciones de los adolescentes, complicaciones, arte corporal