The Risks of Oral Piercing

Are you considering an oral piercing, but find yourself concerned with potential health risks? Do you ever wonder about how safe oral piercings are? Do piercings even influence your oral health? To answer questions such as these, we’re happy to discuss a few risks of oral piercing.

Sadly, piercings are not always safe. For example, if you have a piercing—whether in your tongue, cheek, or lip—you’re may be more likely to break or chip a tooth because your piercing could hit your teeth repeatedly. In fact, nearly half of individuals who have had an oral piercing for at least four years have at least one cracked tooth.

Also, while your gums heal, you will likely have a barbell placed to keep the hole open. This may rub against your gums when you chew or speak and injure your gums, leaving you more susceptible to disease. If gum disease isn’t treated, you may lose a tooth or even supporting bone structure. Similarly, after a piercing, you may be more likely to have herpes and hepatitis B and C. There is also a chance that bacteria could enter your bloodstream through your piercing leading to endocarditis—which is an inflammation of your heart or valves.

Finally, there is a chance that your piercing will puncture a nerve or a blood vessel, causing either excessive bleeding or numbness that may be permanent.

A tongue piercing can have an impact on your oral health. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon.