Oral piercings: what are the risks?
Oral piercings carry risks both during the procedure and while wearing jewelry. Understanding these risks can help you make an informed decision about your oral health.
Risks of the piercing procedure
- Piercing site infection. Infections are possible anywhere on the body if your protective skin has been opened or injured. Your mouth houses a massive quantity of bacteria which greatly increases the risk of such an infection. These infections can be very severe in people with known or unknown health problems that may not be addressed before the piercing is done.
- Heavy and/or prolonged bleeding due to damaging the tongue’s blood vessels with the piercing needle.
- Swelling and nerve damage in and around the pierced area. Swelling is very common after a piercing and in contrast to the ear, the tongue is rarely if ever at rest further increasing both the amount and timeframe of the swelling.
- Bloodborne infections, including hepatitis, are a possible risk when piercing equipment or practices are unsafe.
- Bacteria entering the bloodstream can also cause serious infections, including infective endocarditis, an infection involving the inner lining or valves of the heart.
What are the ongoing risks of having oral jewelry?
- Tooth damage, including chipped or cracked teeth and damage to existing fillings, crowns and bridges.
- Interference with normal oral function: jewelry can stimulate extra saliva and get in the way of chewing or talking.
- When you visit your dentist your mouth jewelry can interfere with X-rays taken of your teeth and may limit your dentist’s ability to properly diagnose problems and recommend treatments.
- Choking or inhaling jewelry if it loosens inside your mouth.
Snacks
Every day adults, children and everyone in between is faced with crucial decisions about what to eat or drink and when to do so. Eating habits that are linked to good oral health include eating fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water. These foods contain less of the sugar which oral bacteria live on. Imagine, if you are always snacking on sugary foods, you are essentially creating a bacteria factory. These bacteria, in turn, are releasing acids as they consume the sugars that remain in your mouth after a snack. The acids produced by the bacteria destroy little bits of your enamel and eventually a cavity forms causing you pain and costing you money to fix.
By snacking right, drinking plenty of water, brushing twice a day, or even simply eating sugary foods only with a large meal you can reduce your risk of tooth decay and in return live a more satisfying comfortable life.
Tobacco
Tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless or chewing tobacco are not only addictive but are also major factors in many oral health problems. The use of any of these products greatly increases the risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. In addition to these major risks, they commonly cause oral discomfort in the form of hot/cold sensitivity, tooth discoloration, and bad breath.
Whether this fits you depends on an exam. Bring your questions to any visit, and see insurance and payment for cost questions.