What is an oral piercing, exactly? It refers to any piercing of the tongue, lips or cheek. Over the years, these have become a form of self-expression and fashionable in some social circles. If you are considering a piercing in or around your mouth, you should know the full scoop on how it may impact your oral health. Here are some of the risks involved:
-Infection: Jewelry can bring bad bacteria – especially if you put it inside your mouth, which can then lead to an infection.
-Prolonged bleeding: If your blood vessels are punctured during the piercing, you may suffer excessive blood loss.
-Pain and Swelling: More than an ear piercing, pain and swelling are common side effects of oral piercings.
-Injury to Teeth and Gums: If your tongue maintains regular contact with your teeth, your chances of suffering a chip or crack are increased. You may also find that your jewelry injures your soft gum tissue, causing your gums to recede.
-Interference with oral functions: Jewelry can cause you to salivate excessively, interfering with speaking clearly and chewing and swallowing properly.
We at Ling Family Dentistry certainly do not want to interfere with your free will and self-expression, but because of all the risks of oral piercings, we respectfully advise you to find another way to express your individuality. Should you choose to move forward with your piercing, know that you can always contact Dr. Michael Ling and the rest of our staff at Ling Family Dentistry at the first sign of any problem. We are located in Blaine, Minnesota and our phone number is 763-784-1993. We’d be delighted to see you!