Your Oral Health And Piercings

Posted by Crown House Dental on 15th May 2017

Know the risks....

Piercings are nothing new. There are records of humans piercing parts of their body all the way back through history, in many different (sometimes eye-watering) ways. So, as a society we're used to piercings and people having them.

However, one thing that is new, is our awareness of the risks of piercings, particularly when it comes to oral piercings and their effect on oral health. If you are considering getting your tongue, lip, cheeks or gums pierced, it is important you consider the health risks and implications so that you make an informed decision.

Here are some of the risks of oral piercings:

Tooth Chipping

It is easy to chip or fracture your teeth with oral piercings. During sleep, whilst talking or eating, metal piercings can hit the teeth and cause fractures or chips. Little chips or fractures might be amended with treatments like minor fillings or bonding. However, deeper fractures may even cause you to need much worse, like having a tooth removed.

Gum Damage

Some studies have suggested that oral piercings can cause gum recession. Jewellery can rub against the teeth and pull the gums away from the teeth which in turn opens the teeth up to sensitivity as the root is exposed. You could also be more prone to infection. Gums may also become sore and infected from a repetitive injury caused by oral piercings.

Swelling

You should expect swelling after a piercing. However, in some extreme situations swelling may be so bad it causes some serious medical issues, like blocking your airways or preventing you from being able to eat or talk.

Nerve Damage

When the piercing occurs, it may cause nerve damage in the mouth if nerves are compromised during the piercing process. Your sense of taste, your mouth movement, numbness and pain may all cause problems after an oral piercing when things go wrong.

Infection

When you get a piercing you potentially open up your bloodstream to infection. When you have an oral piercing this risk is higher because the mouth naturally has a lot of bacteria which have access to the bloodstream when you have the piercing done. Clearly, there is also a higher risk if the person doing the piercing does it in an unsanitary environment, or with unclean equipment or jewellery.

Play It Safe

If you do decide to get an oral piercing, speak to your Egham dentist about it first to talk over the risks. It is also so important to follow care instructions after having it done, and maintaining regular appointments with your Egham dentist to check if the piercing is having any effect on your oral health. The sooner potential issues are recognised, the sooner bigger more painful issues can be avoided.

Need To Register Or Make An Appointment With Crown House Dental In Egham?

If you need to register with Crown House Dental in Egham, or book yourself in for an appointment to discuss your new piercing, please call us on 01784432641 and we will be more than happy to help.

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