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Oral piercings are a growing trend that could be detrimental to your oral health.
Oral piercings are an accessory that is growing in popularity these days. You or your teen may even already have one. But while this fashion statement looks cool, it can be very dangerous to your oral health. But don’t despair – here are some of the dangers of oral piercings, and a few ways you can help prevent them, too!
Chipped or Cracked TeethWhen many people get a tongue or oral piercing, the instinct or habit is to play with it, clicking it against your teeth or gums. Unfortunately this can cause chips or cracks in the teeth, especially if you bite down on a metal piece. It is also possible to accidentally bite a piercing while chewing, which poses the same dangers.
Receding Gums
When you repeatedly rub your piercing against the gums, you can actually cause gum recession. Gum recession isn’t just cosmetic. It can cause gum disease and enamel exposure, and must be treated with costly treatments such as laser regeneration or even a gum graft.
Gum Disease
As we mentioned before, receding gums can cause gum disease, and oral jewelry can cause receding gums. Gum disease can cause bone and tissue loss, and can even cause teeth to fall out!
Infection
As with any piercing, the site of the wound can become easily infected either at the time of piercing or later on down the road. This can be very painful, and must be cleared up with antibiotics in most cases.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis can occur because bacteria can enter through the piercing and travel to the heart via the bloodstream. This can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.
How To Prevent Illness From Piercings
Though there is no surefire way to stop anything dangerous happening once you get an oral piercing, there are ways you can help prevent it.
-Brush and floss twice a day
-Do not click jewelry against teeth or gums
-Follow the care instructions given by your dentist
-Visit your dentist regularly
-Take out the jewelry regularly and clean it
-Take out the jewelry while playing sports
If you must get a piercing, taking care of it is the key to staying healthy. It’s a big commitment, and one that should not be taken lightly. To discuss the care of oral piercings or to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Abelar, please schedule an appointment with us today!
