While oral piercings may be used as a fashion statement or a form of self-expression, they also pose a serious threat of long-term damage to your oral health.
Oral piercings involve piercing the tongue, lips or cheeks with jewelry, often in such styles as barbells, studs and rings.
Risks associated with piercing the mouth include choking, infection and damaged teeth.
Before deciding to pierce your tongue or mouth, be sure to speak with a dentist about the risks involved and the proper care required to maintain a healthy mouth with an oral piercing.
Infection: No matter how clean you keep your mouth, it is normally filled with bacteria.
Brushing, flossing and maintaining a healthy diet can keep bacteria under control and prevent harmless bacteria from growing.
However, with an oral piercing, infection becomes a common issue.
To help manage pain and swelling of the tongue and mouth caused by infection, melt ice chips in your mouth or, depending on how swollen you get, a prescription for anti-inflammatory medication may be required.
Damaged Gums and Teeth: Metal jewelry inside the mouth can lead to serious damage to the gums by injuring soft gum tissue and causing the gums to recede.
Receding gums leave part of the tooth's root exposed, making you more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay.
While brushing with a soft toothbrush and keeping up with good oral hygiene habits can often prevent receding gums from getting worse, sometimes it's necessary to graft tissue over the exposed root to further prevent damage.
Constant contact with jewelry can also cause the teeth to crack or chip, especially if they have been restored with crowns or caps.
Impaired Oral Function: Having an unfamiliar object in your mouth can interfere with normal oral function, such as chewing, speaking and swallowing.
Due to swelling or excessive saliva flow caused by the jewelry, you may find it difficult to pronounce words correctly.
Other complications associated with oral piercing include blood-borne diseases, choking hazards and prolonged bleeding.
An oral piercing is a major decision to make, as you are not just making a statement but also putting your oral and dental health at risk.
Be sure to discuss your decision with your dentist before going through with an oral piercing.
If you do decide to get an oral piercing, always visit the parlor before deciding where to get your piercing.
Make sure that the facility is clean, and that the process takes place using sterile equipment.
It is also a good idea to search online for reputable, experienced providers.
Never attempt a piercing on your own.