Did you know that the first oral piercings were recorded in the Mayan and Aztec cultures?
Oral piercings have been around for a long time, gaining popularity in modern society since the 1980s as a way for individuals to express their unique style.
From tongue piercings to lip and cheek piercings, these adornments are visually striking, but people who love them are often unaware that they come with potential oral health implications.
Understanding the impact of oral piercings on oral health is essential for those who are considering or currently have oral piercings.
In this week’s blog from Dental Center 4Smile, discover how oral piercings affect your oral health and what it takes to maintain a healthy and radiant smile with a piercing.
HOW ORAL PIERCING AFFECTS YOUR ORAL HEALTH:
It’s already easy to damage teeth and gums through activities like chewing ice or aggressive tooth brushing. Adding a piece of metal jewelry to the equation makes maintaining a healthy smile even more challenging.
Did you know that some studies have shown that over 25% of young people with lip piercings and almost 50% with tongue piercings experienced some form of permanent tooth damage?
If not handled carefully, oral piercings can harm oral health in several ways:
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INCREASES THE RISK OF INFECTIONS:
The mouth is naturally full of bacteria, and introducing foreign objects like piercings can create an entry point for microorganisms, increasing the risk of infections. Poor piercing hygiene can lead to localized infections, causing swelling, pain, and potential serious complications.
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CAUSES ISSUES DURING HEALING:
The tongue, often pierced, has a rich blood supply. It may lead to excessive bleeding during piercing, requiring careful medical intervention. Swelling is another common problem, with the potential to compromise airways in severe cases.
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CAUSES DAMAGE TO TEETH AND ENAMEL:
Constant contact between metal jewelry and teeth can cause enamel erosion and tooth fractures. People with tongue piercings often unintentionally play with the piercing against their teeth, increasing the risk of dental problems, including fractures requiring serious dental intervention.
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CAUSES SPEECH PROBLEMS:
The tongue is crucial for normal speech, and the presence of a foreign object can alter tongue movements, causing difficulties in pronunciation. This can be particularly pronounced in the initial stages after getting a piercing.
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CAUSES IRRITATION AND SCAR TISSUE FORMATION:
Lip and cheek piercings can cause irritation, swelling, and the formation of scar tissue. This tissue can interfere with normal mouth function and, in some cases, be irreversible.
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INCREASES THE RISK OF DENTAL PROBLEMS:
Metal jewelry can come into contact with teeth, causing enamel abrasion, creating spaces for bacterial accumulation, and increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
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RISK OF COMPLICATIONS WITH JEWELRY:
There’s a danger of swallowing or aspirating jewelry, leading to digestive or respiratory issues.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR SMILE HEALTHY WITH ORAL PIERCING:
Ultimately, maintaining good hygiene practices, choosing appropriate jewelry, and being aware of potential risks during daily activities are key to minimizing the negative impacts of oral piercings on oral health.
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MAINTAIN GOOD AND REGULAR ORAL HYGIENE
In order to prevent infections, it is extremely important that you regularly maintain thorough oral hygiene, which means brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes.
In order to remove the remaining 40% of impurities on the teeth that cannot be removed with a toothbrush, we recommend using an oral shower (waterpik) or dental floss.
In addition to thorough oral hygiene, do not forget about regular hygiene and cleaning of the piercing itself!
Dentist Ivan Antolković recommends the use of alcohol-free solutions and non-abrasive means for cleaning piercings, and alcohol-free mouthwash for rinsing the oral cavity. Don’t forget that poor oral piercing cleaning practices and neglect of care instructions are the leading cause of infections!
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AVOID THE HABIT OF PLAYING WITH THE PIERCING IN YOUR MOUTH:
If you already have a piercing and a habit of playing with it in your mouth, change that habit. For avoiding damaging your teeth, it is important to minimize contact between metal jewelry and teeth.
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CHOOSE APPROPRIATE JEWELRY:
In order to avoid swallowing or inhaling jewelry, it is very important that you use quality jewelry that does not consist of small parts and cannot fall out easily!
Use appropriate jewelry sizes and be careful during everyday, especially physical activities.
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PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION IF PLANNING TO GET A TONGUE PIERCING:
If planning a tongue piercing, closely monitor the healing process due to the potential for easy bleeding. Seek adequate medical assistance if complications arise during healing.
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STAY HYDRATED:
Drinking enough water helps produce sufficient saliva, crucial for removing food residues.
Mouth rinsing with water can be a good temporary substitute when unable to brush your teeth.
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REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS:
Visit your dentist at least once a year, and if you have a piercing, consider visits every 6 months.
Regular dental check-ups with tartar removal will help prevent cavities, oral complications, and maintain a healthy smile.
CONCLUSION:
While oral piercings can be a great addition to highlight personal style, we must not overlook the risks they pose to oral health.
From the risk of infections to potential tooth damage, individuals with oral piercings must be aware of the challenges they may face. Therefore, practicing conscientious oral hygiene, choosing appropriate jewelry, and being cautious during daily activities are crucial steps for those opting to adorn their mouths with piercings.
With proper care, your smile can be both stylish and healthy, a goal that our expert dentists Ivan Antolković and Mia Radić at Dental Center 4Smile in Zagreb (Croatia) are ready to help you achieve.
Come to Dental Center 4Smile, and let’s journey together towards a healthy smile!
