If you have been wanting to make a fashion statement with your smile by getting a lip or tongue piercing, we want you to know that there are some health risks involved. Â It is not as simple as getting your ears pierced, which has relatively little risks in comparison.
Your mouth is by nature home to colonies of bacteria, and some of them pretty bad (like the kind that cause tooth decay and gum disease), making the mouth a haven for germ production. This makes open wounds (in the form of a piercing) more of a safety risk, no matter if you are choosing to wear a ring, stud, or barbell.
If you have done your homework, and still would like to have an oral piercing done, please be aware of the following risks, and remain on the lookout for any of the following signs:
X-ray blockage: when you come in for cleanings and X-rays, it is possible that your metal jewelry can block X-rays where you are wearing them. This can interfere with getting proper dental care.
Nerve damage: sometimes after a piercing the tongue becomes numb from nerve damage. Usually this numbness is temporary, but it can sometimes be permanent. If this happens, your taste buds may be different, and it can also how your move your mouth. In addition, if there is damage to the blood vessels in your mouth you can lose a lot of blood.
Bacterial infection: the oral environment is a moist breeding ground for bacteria, making it susceptible to infection. If infections are not properly treated they can become life threatening. Also, if the tongue becomes swollen as a reaction to a piercing, it can block your airway.
Oral damage: some people like to play with their piercings while wearing them. This habit, of using the tongue to tap the piercing, or biting it, can injure the gums and even crack or scratch sensitive teeth. Also, oral piercings can damage dental fillings.
Metal hypersensitivity: people can experience allergic reactions from the metal used in the piercing jewelry.
While oral piercings may seem like a fun fashion statement, they can also be deleterious to your smile. So now you know that oral piercings affect more than just your looks, they can also directly impact your oral health. If you decide to move forward with a piercing, make sure to vet your piercing studio of choice. Make sure they are certified, that they take sanitation measures and that they take your health seriously.
As always, our goal is to help you have a healthy smile, not just a fashionable one! If you have any concerns, we invite you to visit with Dr. Charles W. Hobart and Dr. Peipei Yu. You can reach our First Dental of Bluffton team in Bluffton, South Carolina at 843-757-2828 today.