An oral piercing consists of a tiny hole in your cheek, lip, tongue, or uvula that makes it possible to wear jewelry in the aforementioned areas. It has taken the wave as a modern method of style expression. Have you considered that it could be dangerous? Although most people assume oral piercings to be of low risk, there are significant risks that have been associated with them.
What Damages Can Occur?
Your mouth is full of bacteria that can result in swelling and infection. A person with a swollen tongue is bound to have trouble when breathing. Bleeding and blood loss is a common risk associate with people who have tongue piercings. Your tongue has many blood vessels.
If the jewelry breaks off in our mouth, it can be a choking hazard. You can also accidentally chip your teeth on it while sleeping, eating, or talking. If the break is deep, you may need to fix it with a root canal.
Oral piercings also damage the tongue, and gums which makes it hard to speak, swallow or chew. They can also lead to the development of serious health problems like hepatitis B and C, gum disease, and uncontrolled bleeding. These risks have beckoned the American Dental Association to warn against oral piercings.
What are Some Safety Tips?
If you already possess an oral piercing, being aware of the dangers it might pose might make you consider removing it to protect your gums and teeth. If you choose to keep wearing it, be sure to remove it when participating in sports and always make sure to use clean hands when doing so to avoid infection. It is advisable to check the tightness of the jewelry often because loose jewelry can become a choking hazard. Make sure your hepatitis B and C vaccines are up to date as well.
At the end of the day, the decision to do it or not to is personal. We recommend that you consult with us before making this big step. We will ensure that the decision you make is fully informative and committed to the maintenance of your oral hygiene.
Dental Blog | Dentist Menasha, WI | Mid Valley Dental, S.C. Michael J. Wockenfus, DDS created a blog to educate the community. It is your resource for all dentistry questions. Learn and read topics in the blog here! Mid Valley Dental, SC, 903 E. Airport Road, Menasha, WI 54952 • (920) 215-4160 • midvalleydental.com • 9/4/2024 • Page Terms:dentist Menasha WI •
An oral piercing consists of a tiny hole in your cheek, lip, tongue, or uvula that makes it possible to wear jewelry in the aforementioned areas. It has taken the wave as a modern method of style expression. Have you considered that it could be dangerous? Although most people assume oral piercings to be of low risk, there are significant risks that have been associated with them. 
