Facts About Safety of Oral Piercing
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February 13, 2013As times changed and began to be more open to self-expression, different forms of body arts came about. One of these is the oral piercing that is very popular among younger generation. Areas where oral piercing can be found are generally in the lip or tongue. This is seen as safe because many expressionists have them. Unfortunately, this form of art often becomes the focal point of bacteria breeding in the mouth. This is very vulnerable to infection and in some cases even more severe risks. It is not unlikely that an oral pierce can crack the teeth or chip it. There is also a possibility of some allergic reaction or that it can cause nerve damage. The most common and direct effect is difficulty in speaking, swallowing or chewing.
If your teenager is adamant about getting an oral piercing, do the smart thing and have them see a dentist before piercing. Learning about the potential risks will help your teenager make an informed choice.
Oral Piercing
To avoid such complications, it is recommended to see the dentist before going through the piercing procedure. Knowing the risks that come with the piercing will help identify the following symptoms: numbness, soreness, pain and swelling, sensitivity especially to metals, cracked teeth and filling damage. If all fails and your teenager decides to get the oral piercing and you are ok with it as well, then it is imperative to keep the pierced areas clean all the time to prevent infection. Any occurrence of symptoms mentioned above must be consulted by the dentist right away.
By Ladan Zinati
23 Comments
While I agree that it is important to relay the messages of the risks involved with oral piercings. The teens that do it are trying to be rebellious. The best thing would be to find a way to make it safer for those who do
Yes Jason. I do actually agree. If they are going to get the piercings anyway, then we do need to make it safer for them.
I agree that it is so important that people understand what oral piercings can do to your mouth. It might look cool, but can cause so much damage..it is really worth it?
Hi Bonci. Really, no it is not worth it, but sometimes people have to see it with their own eyes to believe the damages it can cause.
I agree with keeping the pierced area clean as it can easily become infected. Also I personally think these types of piercings are not worth the risk involved.
Hi Paige. Yes, very true.
Personally I have always wondered about the long term effects that
oral piercings have as far as health issues. I myself do not find
it attractive, and can only imagine the bacteria that grows on the
jewelry stud its’self. I could never kiss anyone with piercings in there mouth or lips.
I knew a girl that got a tongue piercing, and she couldn’t swallow for a week. Somehow there was some kind of infection making her tongue swell. I like piercings, but be careful when you get them.
I do agree with having to check a dentist before getting a piercing procedure, but like the first comment, I definitely have to agree that a lot of these kids that do it are rebellious. I don’t think a lot of these kids actually consult their parents before they do these kinds of things. Instead I think this should be a good opportunity to spread an awareness, or maybe enforce having to go to the dentist for a check up before actually getting the piercing procedure done. Personally I would never get it done. I don’t find it attractive and I’m sure there are long term effects and/or health issues that come with it.
I myself made the decision to get my lip pierced before seeing my dentist and found it wasn’t the best decision. The piercing damaged my gums behind it and I got a bit of nerve damage. Since then I have recovered but seeing a dentist prior to getting it done would have been the smart thing to do.
I am sorry Eli that you had nerve damage! But glad that you recovered. You just never know when something like thing or all the other damages that it can cause show up.
I am concerned about my sons wanting piercings. My daughter has them but not in hr mouth, thank goodness. This is very good information for me. Thanks
You are welcome Suzanne. Hope you can convince your son from not getting the oral piercing!
I was unaware that oral piercing carried so many risks. Will cleaning and using other precautions significantly minimize the risks, or is it dangerous either way?
Well, it will help, but the risks are still there for some of the risks that no matter how careful you are and how great of an oral hygiene you have, may cause problems.
This article is really informative, to a person wanting a piercing. my cousin got a piercing on her tongue but she already had bad teeth so she didn’t care.
Dr. Zinati, thanks for pointing this article out to me to show my daughter. She has been bugging me about getting her tongue pierced and after reading this article, she told me maybe she won’t do it. I really hope that she doesn’t!
Elizabeth, you are very welcome! If you need me to also talk to her, I’ll be happy to.
This article is really excellent.
Well, this makes me rethink before getting my lip piercing. I want one really bad, but now I’m starting to think about the comsequences. Im happy that I got to read this article before I actually got it done!
[…] Oral piercing is preferred among younger generations. Areas where oral piercing can be located are normally on the lip or tongue. Regrettably, oral piercing typically comes to be the center of attention of microorganisms breeding in the mouth. This is really prone to infection and in many cases a lot more serious threats. If you or a member of the family is thinking of acquiring an oral piercing, read this post first and afterwards make a sensible decision […]
[…] Oral piercing is popular among younger generations. Areas where oral piercing can be discovered are normally on the lip or tongue. Regrettably, oral piercing frequently ends up being the centerpiece of germs breeding in the mouth. This is really prone to infection and sometimes a lot more serious dangers. If you or a relative is considering obtaining an oral piercing, read this post first then make a smart decision […]
[…] Oral piercing is really preferred among younger generations. Areas where oral piercing can be found are normally on the lip or tongue. Regrettably, oral piercing frequently becomes the focal point of bacteria breeding in the mouth. This is really prone to infection and in some cases a lot more serious risks. If you or a family member is thinking about getting an oral piercing, read this post first and then make a wise decision […]