Inflammatory and Immunitary Modifications in Saliva of Subjects with Labial and Tongue Piercing

Piercing is the practice of puncturing some parts of the body, including the area of the stomach, to apply ornamental objects. The presence of oral and perioral piercings are a risk factor for numerous acute and chronic complications, such as chipping of the dental enamel, lesions of the gums and infection. The presence of piercings in the oral cavity may also act as a stimulant for inflammation and determine modifications in the components of the saliva. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is a variation in the inflammatory or immunitary components of the saliva of adult patients with labial and tongue piercings. Twenty-five adult patients were examined (11 males and 14 females with an average age of 23.4±3.6 years) who had had a minimum of one labial or tongue piercing for at least 1 year. A questionnaire was compiled for each patient and the composition of the saliva was examined, before and for the 72 hours after removal of the piercings. The data was analyzed using the student's t -test for independent samples and the level of significance was placed at p< 0.05. The examination of the saliva showed a statistically significant increase (p< 0.05) of interleukin-1 and −8, of lysozyme and amylase. A more basic value of pH (p< 0.05) was also found and a decrease in the immunoglobulins, in particular of IgA (p< 0.05). After the removal of the piercings, the parameters of the saliva returned to the reference values, with the exception of the immunoglobulins, whose values remained the same as in the first saliva examination. The presence of piercings in labial areas or in the tongue is accompanied by chronic inflammation in the components of the saliva, with an increase in the level of the interleukins. Furthermore, in patients who have had an oral piercing for a longer period, the level of interleukins is even higher. This inflammatory situation, however, may recede in a few days after the removal of the irritating agent. Labial or tongue piercings also determine an increase in the flow of saliva, an increase in saliva enzymes, of lysozyme in particular, and a more basic pH value.