Oral piercings are a form of self-expression and have become increasingly popular among teenage boys and girls. Many areas of the mouth can be pierced, but the tongue and lips are the most common spots. Although it may seem harmless, this form of body art can bring some complications, including with oral health. Because the area is continuously exposed to moisture, it becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, sometimes causing adverse health side effects.
Tongue rings can lead to infection and swelling if improperly taken care of. Depending on a person's overall health, these infections can cause other health issues. However, these are not the only effects to your health. The jewelry itself can break off in your mouth and damage or cut the inside of your cheeks, tongue, or throat. You can also chip your teeth while you eat, talk or sleep from the metal of the piercing. Most of the times these are relatively minor issues, however, the possibility of it being more severe is always there.
Other oral piercing effects on oral health:
It is easy for the jewelry to bump against your teeth when speaking or eating. This frequent contact can chip the tooth enamel. Biting down on it can also cause cracks that extend to the nerves of the tooth, which could require a root canal to fix. Because of these detrimental effects, the American Dental Association advises against the use of tongue, lip and uvula rings. Because of the risks involved such as damage to teeth, the safest path is avoiding oral piercing altogether.
If you already have an oral piercing by taking the right steps, you can continue to have good teeth and oral health. Taking care of your piercing properly will help you maintain good oral hygiene and avoid any of the issues covered above. First, start by choosing the right type of jewelry works well with the location in your mouth, and will not cause damage if it bumps against your teeth.
Also, avoid playing with the piercing using your tongue or teeth. It can be tempting, but it has the potential to damage your teeth and gums. Also, check the piercing daily to ensure the ends are properly fastened. Keep the site clean and free of any grime or food particles by using a mouth rinse after every meal. Check the tightness of the ring periodically to prevent it from coming loose, being swallowed or accidentally bitten down on. If you play any sports, remove the jewelry and re-insert it when you are done.
If you have a tongue piercing, make sure to use polymer balls to reduce the risk of damaging your teeth. Choose a smaller ball for the underside of your tongue to lower the risk of contact with your sublingual. More importantly, keep your mouth as clean as possible by brushing and using mouthwash after every meal.
When you have an oral piercing, practicing basic oral hygiene should be an even greater priority. Strictly adhere to a professional’s recommendation of brushing and flossing twice daily. The last thing you want to have happen is an infection to begin.
Do you have more questions about how to take care of your oral piercing and teeth? Contact us here: https://www.greenedentalassociates.com or call Greene Dental Associates at (937) 426-2400 for an appointment in our Fairborn dental office.
Cavities are a common occurrence, and dental fillings are usually the preferred solution to tooth decay, regardless of how minor the decay may be. More severe cavities, those that have reached the nerves and are causing discomfort, usually always require a filling. However, there are instances when you can heal smaller cavities naturally from the…
The different types of floss and tips for flossing make it possible to keep the tight spaces between teeth free of food particles and plaque. That goes a long way when it comes to fighting tooth decay. Dental floss is used to remove the plaque, food particles and bacteria that become lodged between teeth after…
Dentures should be soaked at least once per day or evening. This soaking is necessary to eliminate food, bacteria, plaque and other gunk. The soaking should occur with a nonabrasive denture cleanser. Soaking will also help destroy those germs that cause nasty breath.Dentures should be brushed each day regardless of whether you enjoyed three square…
Most people are unaware of the initial signs of a cavity since these indicators often overlap with other oral health maladies. Cavities are one of the nation's leading health problems. The rise in cavity prevalence is partially due to the fact that food and beverage manufacturers are loading up all sorts of different products with…
Many people seek a smile makeover because many makeover options can give them the smile they have always wanted. In addition, people who want to restore the appearance and function of their smile are also looking into their makeover options, as restoring one's smile is now easier than ever due to all of the available…
Before we get into our discussion of the materials used for dental fillings, it is important to know what they are used for. Fillings are used to replace parts of teeth that have been affected by cavities, cracks, or damage from nail-biting or teeth grinding. There are various materials that fillings are made of. Read…