Uvula piercing

Last updated
Uvula piercing
My Uvula Piercing - NOT done in Poland (2593375144).jpg
Location Uvula
Jewelry Captive bead ring

A uvula piercing is a body piercing through the uvula, the projection of the soft palate between the tonsils. This is a rare piercing. [1] Captive bead rings or other small rings are the most commonly seen jewellery in uvula piercings. [1]

Contents

Health issues

The piercing is rare due to the gag reflex, which makes it difficult to administer or receive it. Should jewelry pierced through the uvula come loose, it may be swallowed or even inhaled, which would require surgery to remove. [2] [3]

As with tongue piercings, there is a risk of crush injury during the piercing, swelling, and infection. The jewelry will also pull the uvula down during sleep, reducing the diameter of the nasal airway and increasing the chance of sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring. [4] Uvula piercings may migrate leading to bisection of the uvula, which is harmless.[ citation needed ]

History and culture

As the piercing is not usually visible, motivations for receiving it are usually personal. [1]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lip frenulum piercing</span> Type of body piercing

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orbital piercing</span> Type of double hole body piercing

An orbital piercing is a combination of two ear piercings connected by one piece of jewelry. While usually located in the helix region of the ear, an orbital piercing can be done anywhere on the body including the earlobes. The piercing uses a hoop, and is not to be confused with an industrial piercing, a conch piercing or double cartilage piercing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Body piercing</span> Form of body modification

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References

  1. 1 2 3 DeMello, Margo (2007). Encyclopedia of body adornment. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 208–209. ISBN   978-0-313-33695-9.
  2. Associated Press (3 July 1997). "Dentists: Mouth piercing risky". Ellensburg Daily Record. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
  3. Price, SS; Lewis, MW (1997). "Body piercing involving oral sites" (PDF). Journal of the American Dental Association. 128 (7): 1017–1020. doi:10.14219/jada.archive.1997.0310. PMID   9231608.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. Walsh, Laurence J (July–August 2008). "Missing the point: The risks of intra-oral piercing" (PDF). Australasian Dental Practice: 156–158.