The Hidden Risks of Oral Piercings: Protecting Your Oral Health
At the present time, oral piercings such as tongue bolts, cheek studs, and lip rings seem to be in vogue among a certain number of young people. Whether you find these bodily adornments appealing or repulsive is a matter of personal taste—but whichever side of the fashion divide you’re on, there are a few things you should know about the impact they can have on your oral health. Schaefer Dental Group aims to inform patients in Lansing, Michigan about these potential risks.
According to the *Journal of the American Dental Association*, the tongue and lips are the most common sites for intraoral piercings. In either location, the ornament is likely to come into contact with teeth, gum tissue, and other anatomical structures in the mouth—and that’s where the trouble may start.
The Anatomy of a Problem: Health Risks
While immediate risks include infection, transmission of blood-borne diseases (like hepatitis B), and rare cases of severe facial pain, the long-term effects of an oral piercing give the most reason for concern:
Damage to Teeth and Function
- Tooth Damage: As teeth regularly come into contact with the metal parts of the ornament, chipping or fracture of the teeth can occur, which may require tooth restoration. Increased tooth sensitivity and pain may also become a problem.
- Functional Issues: Jewelry in the mouth can trigger excessive saliva flow, impede speech, and cause problems with chewing and swallowing.
Gum and Bone Damage (Periodontal Disease)
- Gum Recession: Oral piercings can cause injury to the soft gum tissue, leading to gum recession. Before the gums can recede, some of the underlying bone in the jaw must be lost.
- Increased Decay Risk: When gums recede, tooth roots become exposed. Since roots lack the protective enamel covering of the tooth’s crown, this makes tooth decay more likely.
- Periodontal Disease: The irregular gum line resulting from recession makes it more difficult to practice good oral hygiene, increasing the risk of inflammation, infection, and advanced gum disease, which can negatively affect your general (systemic) health.
It’s Your Health – and Your Choice
If you are thinking about having an oral piercing placed in your mouth, talk to a dental professional about it first. Due to the increased potential for dental or periodontal problems, you will likely need to have more frequent checkups and pay special attention to your oral hygiene.
Take heart: If you decide that the piercing isn’t what you want anymore, removing it will immediately reduce your disease risk and instantly improve your oral health!