Over the years, oral piercings have become a more common trend among both men and women. While they may seem cool or like a stylish addition to your overall look, oral piercings come with a lot of risk. There is also potential for long-term health issues. It is a good idea to know what you’re getting with a hot new piercing.
Complications with Oral Piercings
- Allergic Reaction – You may have an allergy to the metal of a tongue or lip piercing. Many are made with nickel, which can trigger allergies.
- Speech and chew ability – After getting an oral piercing, you may experience changes in speech and how you chew your food. It can be a real problem for some. It is not always an issue with all of those who choose to pierce.
- Split Tongue – On rare occasions a tongue piercing will cause a split in the tongue that will cause it to look like a snake’s tongue.
- Fractured and chipped teeth – This most commonly occurs with tongue piercings. When your tongue and metal whip around in your mouth when you talk, laugh, and chew your food, you are at risk for a breakage in your teeth. These fractures expose nerves and typically lead to the need for a root canal. Although a root canal is a solution, the replacements are not the same as the original tooth structure.
- Infection – Since your mouth is filled with millions of bacteria, your risk of infection increases since your piercing is constantly exposed to those bacteria. If the bacteria enter your bloodstream, there is a risk of infection and severe complications.
If you decide to get an oral piercing, it’s important to maintain your oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, floss at least once, and keep a close watch on changes in the appearance or feel of your piercing. Ask your dentist for more information about the potential issues with oral piercings and the threats that they may impose. Consider if it’s worth the risk of infection, tooth trauma, and other exacerbated dental issues.
