The Dangers of Mouth Piercings

Many people consider mouth piercings in their lifetimes. They can help you express who you are and what lifestyle you want to live. While there maybe aesthetic and personal benefits to having piercings there are health risks in having them. If you already have mouth piercings or are considering getting them, make sure you know all the risks and how to manage them.

Your smile is an important part of you and helps you express yourself. A common habit of people who have a tongue or lip piercing is to play with the piercing by clicking it against their teeth. Getting a piercing on your tongue or lip could result in chipped, scratched or sensitive teeth damaging that beautiful smile. To avoid the damage to your pearly whites, resist clicking the jewelry against your teeth and be cautious when talking or eating.

Infections and diseases are other concerns with oral piercings. The mouth is a wet environment and is filled with bacteria. An open wound, combined with the existing bacteria in your mouth and the new bacteria that is introduced when switching jewelry provides a perfect setting for infections.

In addition, much like damaging the teeth, playing with your jewelry can result in the recession or injury of your gums, putting you at an increased risk of obtaining gum disease. This can all lead to you having a less than perfect smile. To reduce the risk of infections and diseases, contact your dentist immediately if any redness or swelling appears around the piercing and keep the piercing site clean by cleaning your jewelry and using mouth rinse after each meal.

Other complications that might occur due to oral piercings include excessive saliva production and a development of hypersensitivity to metal. The presence of a foreign object in your mouth can cause the glands in your mouth to produce more saliva. Also, some people have allergic reactions at the site of the piercings due to the metal in the jewelry. If these reactions occur, you’ll need to speak with your dentist immediately.

The decision to get an oral piercing is not one to be made quickly. It will stick with you for life and will require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. Be sure to talk to your dentist for more information and to get the best maintenance tips so you can keep your smile looking its best.