published by the Journal of Adolescent Health has been inaccurately reported to claim that plastic jewelry is safer than metal for tongue piercings because of the greater biofilm found when jewelry is extracted after two weeks in place.

“The low bacterial counts from piercing channels suggest that having a tongue pierced would not contribute to an increased risk for oral infection.”

However, we can draw significantly different conclusions from the findings of this study:

A few important factors to note:

This study was done with externally threaded posts of an unspecified material and surface finish quality. The bacteria found in the piercing channel was measured after a colonized exposed screw thread was pulled through the piercing, leaving debris behind. Researchers should swab the area before removing the ball ends, and swab both sections of the threads as well before removing the jewelry.

Hardened plaque deposits and biofilm can be found at the closure of a piece of oral body jewelry. This appears in comparatively significant smaller quantities when the surface finish of the jewelry is smoother, and the closure of the jewelry is well sealed. This issue is well observed by experienced body piercing professionals.

Externally threaded plastic posts sometimes have a tighter tolerance at the closure than their metal counterparts, and a better seal means less bacterial colonization. This alone does not demonstrate that plastic as a better body jewelry material than metal, instead in this context it indicates strongly that the quality of the closure is of importance, without regard to the material.

The study does not mention the manufacturer of the jewelry used, nor the surface finishing and passivation processes. It does not specify ASTM F86 standards for were followed or the specific surface roughness R a , only that PTFE was the roughest surface they used.

The surface finish and the quality of the mechanical closure of the jewelry makes a huge difference in biofilm formation. Differences in surface roughness between the materials was mentioned, but not quantified.

Because the standards for what is considered safe enough for body jewelry have been debated in the piercing community for many years. The Association of Professional Piercers has agreed upon minimum standards for body jewelry specified here: httpa://safepiercing.org/jewelry_standards.php



details some of the further issues involved to clarify body jewelry quality and safety standards. https://www.piercingexp.com/faq/quality-jewelry.html details some of the further issues involved to clarify body jewelry quality and safety standards.