Oral Art - An Old But New Practice in Self-Expression

Oral modification goes back further than recorded history. Vikings, Mayans, West African Tribes (to name a few) used various methods of oral modification to identify themselves, to distinguish class, tribe,seniority, religion, coming of age, etc... Whether it be sharpening of teeth, adorning teeth with jewels, splitting tongues or piercings, all of these have roots deep in our history.

Now days, it's not unusual to see people covered in tattoos, body piercings, sporting diamond covered "Grills" or bejeweled pearly whites. Some even go as far as to have horns anchored to their skulls and have lip and tongue tattoos.

Through the ages, self expression has taken a leap from the modest 20's where even showing a shoulder was inappropriate, to a world where the more bizarre one can be, the better. But is it better? Individualism and self expression are rights that should not be taken away from anyone. But with the rise in popularity of body modification in general and people doing it because it's "cool", the concern is that it is taking away from the cultural and historical aspect of the trend. 

That said, 200 years from now this newer trend will be historic, and historians will study it as a culture....

What are your thoughts on the subject?