23 Feb Oral Piercings: The hidden risks to your health
Like tattoos, oral piercings are a popular way to display one’s uniqueness; unfortunately, oral piercings pose risks to a patient’s oral health. Oral piercings are normally located on the tongue, the lips, uvula, and cheeks. Although an oral piercing may appear fashionable, your dentist cautions against this form of self-expression.
When it comes to dentistry, many dentists fear that the location of oral piercings and the act of piercing itself can lead to infection and the accumulation of excess oral bacteria in the mouth. Harmful oral bacteria causes gum disease and tooth decay. A newly pierced region of the oral cavity increases the risk for developing an oral infection. Because the mouth is a moist environment and an abundance of bacteria are present, an untreated oral or fungal infection can enter a patient’s blood stream and further complicate one’s health.
In addition to an increased risk for infection, piercings can lead to nerve, tooth, and gum damage. Piercings located on the tongue are especially susceptible to nerve damage and permanent nerve damage may alter a patient’s ability to taste food. Furthermore, metals used in piercings can damage teeth and gums. Patients with tongue piercings often click or tap their piercing against their teeth or run their pierced tongue along the gums. Since piercings are made from metals, they can wear tiny cracks in the tooth’s protective barrier, enamel, and increase the risk for decay or a cracked tooth. The act of scraping and sliding a metal piercing against soft oral tissues like the gums may also lead to irritation and inflammation—a contributing factor to periodontal disease.
If possible, oral jewelry will likely need to be removed when your dentist conducts examinations—especially when taking X-rays because metals block radiographic images. Patients with piercings should practice meticulous oral hygiene and drink water after meals to help rinse away debris from food.
To learn more about the risks piercings pose to your oral health or to schedule an examination with our dentist, contact our office at 210-616-0858 today.