Oral piercings in Relation to Dental Problems

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Oral piercing is a body modification that has been around for many years. Oral piercings are seen mostly in young adults and teenagers.

The most common piercing is of the tongue but can also be the lips, cheeks or a combination of all areas.

Oral Piercings can cause many dental related problems. It is important to know the risks of dental issues before getting a piercing. Most piercers do not tell you the overall “ dental risks”

  • Gum recession
  • Infection
  • Nerve damage
  • Chipped teeth
  • Soft tissue irritation
  • Jewelry embedding in the tissues
  • Aspiration
  • Interference with Chewing, Swallowing and Speaking
  • Scar tissue
  • Herpes and Hepatitis from unclean needles and piercing devices
  • Larger pieces of Jewelry can also serve as a plaque trap which can cause a higher risk in dental caries and periodontal problems especially if home care is insufficient

*According to the ADA Oral Piercings can also cause potentially severe infections, such as Ludwig’s angina or infective endocarditis.

  • Ludwig’s Angina is a rare but serious bacterial infection that includes the mouth, jaw and neck. It spreads rapidly to infect the tissues underneath the tongue and may cause respiratory problems.
  • Infective Endocarditis is an uncommon but usually severe and often fatal inflammatory disease of the endocardium. Oral piercings can cause Bacteremia which can enter the blood stream and attack the heart valves/chambers. The Lower lip and nose are the most common site in relation to Infective Endocarditis

Oral Piercings | MouthHealthy – Oral Health Information from the ADA

The piercing truth about tongue splitting and oral jewelry