The Association of Professional Piercers would like to present a number of facts in order that consumers, health care workers, and other concerned parties may properly educate themselves about oral piercing before making any decisions or judgments. A well-informed and discerning consumer is subject to far fewer dangers than one with incomplete or inaccurate information.
When properly performed, the piercing procedure itself takes only a few seconds, and involves minimal discomfort and often no blood. Healing is ordinarily rapid and is commonly uneventful.
Most of the concerns about oral piercings centre on one of three areas:
- Fear of an unsafe procedure
- Potential for damage to teeth and oral structures
- Risk of infection
These potential hazards are generally easily controlled when the following steps are taken.