Oral piercings can involve piercings in the tongue, cheeks, lips, or even the uvula, which is that tiny little piece of tissue that hangs down the back of the throat. Just about all are likely to damage teeth, as the metal can come into constant contact with the teeth and gums.
The metal can chip and crack teeth, and it can damage the gums and made even cause some to recede. Oral piercings can also damage fillings, and might be a real problem for anyone who is sensitive to metal.
Oral piercings may be a great way to express individuality, but in addition to damaging teeth they carry a large number of health risks. One of the reasons for this is that the mouth contains large numbers of bacteria. Piercing the oral tissues gives these bacteria an easy way to enter the body, creating infection.
Tongue piercing can be especially risky, as it involves having a bell shaped bar inserted into the middle of the tongue. This initial bar is much longer than the final piece of jewellery, and the reason for this is the tongue will swell up after the procedure. The danger of this is that the swelling can be so severe it can even partially block the airway, and there’s the possibility that blood vessels can be damaged during insertion, leading to serious blood loss.
Other Risks That May Not Have Had Explained to You
Other problems involved with tongue piercing include producing excessive saliva, which can make speaking and eating difficult. However one of most serious risks is that of endocarditis. This is an inflammation of the heart valves or the surrounding tissues and is caused by oral bacteria entering the bloodstream and travelling to the heart. Anyone who wants to have an oral piercing should make sure it is carried out in properly sterilised surroundings, and should be meticulous about cleaning the piercing afterwards.
Of course not all tongue oral piercings result in the trauma or problems described above, however your teeth, gums, and inner mouth area will notice the intrusion of a foreign object.
If you have an oral piercing it is a good idea to have a quick check-up to make sure everything is A-OK. If you become concerned at all, please call us and let us check it out for you sooner, rather than later.
