Oral piercings are growing in popularity, but there are many problems that they can create in your oral health. They can damage your teeth and make your smile more susceptible to disease. It is important to know the risks before you commit to an oral piercing.
Dangers of Oral Piercings
Oral piercings can cause chipped teeth. The jewelry can hit the teeth while you are sleeping, eating, or talking. This can cause the teeth to weaken, fracture, or even chip off entirely. The jewelry consistently hitting the gums can cause them to peel away from the teeth and make them more susceptible to disease.
Oral piercings may initially cause swelling around the piercing site, which can block the airway. The mouth is an extremely fertile breeding ground for bacteria, which can significantly increase the risk of infection. Infections can cause even further problems with your mouth.
How to Prevent These Problems
Luckily, you don’t have to completely forgo the oral piercing, if that’s what your heart is set on. There are several ways that you can prevent these problems from occurring. The most important thing to do is to keep the piercing site clean. The mouth has a lot of bacteria, so it is important to prevent infections.
Try to wear smaller-sized jewelry. This will prevent the chances of damage occurring if the jewelry hits your teeth. After the site has healed, you should remove the jewelry before playing sports, eating, or sleeping. There are plastic inserts that you can get to prevent the hole from closing during this time.
Don’t get your tongue pierced on a whim. Oral piercings require a significant amount of care to prevent extreme problems from occurring. To learn more about how to protect your teeth after getting an oral piercing, contact us at Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants today!