Body art has emerged as a popular form of self-expression over the past decade. In addition to tattoos, oral piercings of the tongue, lip and cheeks are more common, especially amongst adolescents and young adults. There are many oral health myths circulating. It’s best to get your facts straight before getting an oral piercing. How do oral piercings affect a person’s overall oral health?
Understanding the Impact: Initial Concerns
Your body reacts to the process of having a piercing in the oral cavity just as it does any other puncture wound or incision. Some possible issues you may need to deal with are:
Pain and Swelling: The puncture site will react to the trauma of the piercing.
Bleeding – Sometimes a blood vessel is punctured by the needle during the piercing and can result in bleeding that is difficult to control.
Infection Risks: The oral cavity houses a multitude of bacteria, heightening the risk of infections at the puncture site. Furthermore, adverse reactions to the metal used in the jewelry can exacerbate these complications.
Reactions to Metal: your body may be allergic to the material used to make the jewelry.
Long-Term Oral Health Issues from Oral Piercings
Oral piercing risks extend beyond these initial reactions. As your body heals and becomes accustomed to the piercing, there are other longer-term issues that can still cause problems.
Injury to Teeth and/or Gums: The metal jewelry is a foreign object in your mouth that can chip or break teeth and damage gum tissue. Scarring – a scar, cyst or keloid (firm, rubbery legions) might form at the piercing site.
Serious Health Risks: Oral piercings have been associated with severe health complications such as Neisseria endocarditis, as highlighted in the Center for Disease Control’s Emerging Infection Diseases periodical. This condition involves inflammation of the heart valves or tissues, emphasizing the gravity of the risks associated with oral piercings.
Interference with Normal Functions: The jewelry in your mouth can cause excessive saliva production, interfere with speech sounds, and cause problems with being able to properly chew food.
Special Oral Care Considerations
People with oral piercings must take special care when brushing their teeth so as not to rip the tissue surrounding the piercing. It’s also important to keep the piercing site clean to avoid buildup of plaque caused by the bacteria that normally lives in the mouth. You should not use toothpaste that contains a whitening agent.
Twice yearly visits to the dentist are very important to assess the health of the piercings along with cleanings and x-rays.
Rethinking the Trend
In the end, while piercings are a form of self-expression, the risks to your oral health are not worth it. The potential risks they pose to oral health significantly outweigh the aesthetics. The interference with normal oral functions, risks of infections, and potential long-term damage to oral tissues and teeth underscore the reconsideration necessary before opting for oral piercings.
A Reflection on Oral Piercings and Oral Health
While individual expression is valued, the precarious nature of oral piercings necessitates a thoughtful approach. Prioritizing oral health should supersede transient trends. If there are queries or concerns regarding oral health and piercings, seeking professional advice becomes imperative. Shorewood Family Dental Care stands ready to offer guidance and support in maintaining optimal oral health.
By emphasizing the potential risks, precautions, and urging a reconsideration of the trend’s implications, individuals can make informed decisions about oral piercings.
Navigating the Impact of Oral Piercings
Expanding the article by elaborating on the potential risks, complications, and necessary precautions associated with oral piercings helps individuals comprehend the gravity of this trend. The focus on oral health, cautionary measures, and seeking professional advice reiterates the importance of informed decision-making in body modification practices.
By considering the impact on oral health, individuals can weigh the significance of self-expression against the potential risks and make educated choices regarding oral piercings.
If you have questions about oral health and piercings or need a dental checkup near Joliet, please call Shorewood Family Dental Care at 815-725-5991 or book an appointment online.
