Fashion trends keep changing. If you live in Concord, North Carolina, you must have noticed that many people are getting oral piercings. These include tongue barbells, lip rings, and other mouth jewelry. While this style makes you stand out, it can also cause problems for your gums and teeth. Many do not realize that these piercings can affect their dental health.
Getting an oral piercing is more than about picking the jewelry or finding a good piercing studio in the Greater Charlotte area. You also need to understand how it can impact your oral health. Did you know that oral piercings can lead to damaged enamel and receding gums? While some of the problems are small, others could turn into dental emergencies.
Oral piercings can also sometimes make it hard to eat, talk, or play sports. During weather changes, the metals in the jewelry may cause discomfort. Therefore, it is important to make safe choices. Before you decide to get an oral piercing, talk to a dentist. Even if you already have one, a Concord dental care practice can help you take care of it.
Understanding the risks and complications
Oral piercings on the tongue or lips can be a fun way of self-expression. However, these come with serious risks to your dental health. Piercings introduce foreign objects into your mouth. Your mouth is a warm and moist place, and it becomes easier for bacteria to grow and breed. This can lead to complications that the unprofessional eye cannot see.
One of the biggest concerns with piercings is the risk of infection. Your mouth is already home to millions of bacteria. When you get a piercing on top of that, the same bacteria gets the chance to enter your bloodstream. This can cause problems like local infections or more serious conditions, like endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart valves.
It is also important to take sanitation into consideration. If the piercing tools are not cleaned properly, you could also get dangerous infections like hepatitis, tetanus, or tuberculosis.
Therefore, if you are thinking about getting an oral piercing, make sure you take the protective measures to be safe. Consider the risks and act carefully.
Impact of oral piercings on teeth and gums
Oral piercings can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums. When you have a tongue piercing, it will make it harder to talk, eat, and even sleep.
Every time you chew or talk to someone, the jewelry can hit your teeth. This can eventually cause the teeth to chip, crack, or even break. People often unconsciously bite or play with the jewelry, which can cause what dentists call “wrecking ball fractures.”
Lip piercings can cause problems with your gums. The jewelry can rub against your gums, wearing them down over time. This can lead to gum recession, where your gums pull back and expose the sensitive roots of your teeth.
Once your gums recede, they cannot fix on their own. You may experience tooth sensitivity, decay, or even tooth loss if you do not treat it at the right time. The humid weather in North Carolina can make things worse because it encourages bacteria to grow around the piercing.
Are there any long-term complications?
Studies show that up to 50% of people with lip piercings and 44% with tongue piercings experience gum recession. Over time, the metal from the jewelry can leak into your tissues, which might cause allergic reactions or changes to the inside of your mouth.
If you have braces or are planning to get orthodontic treatment, oral piercings can be even more of a problem. The jewelry can get caught in your braces and damage the braces. This can make your orthodontic treatment less effective and even create new gaps between your teeth.
Think before you pierce!
Oral piercings might look cool, but they can damage your teeth and gums. Schedule an appointment with a Concord dentist today!
