2 Things You Should Expect Your Dentist To Tell You About Oral Piercings

If there is one edgy way to show off your sense of style and personality, oral piercings are definitely a trendy idea. However, before you head off to the local piercing professional to get adorned with modifying jewels, there is one thing that you may want to consider. That flashy Monroe, tongue, or lip piercing you so proudly show off to all of your friends may get a little less of a desirable reaction from your dentist when you go on for your regular teeth cleaning visit.

From the perspective of someone who makes a career out of oral health, poking holes in unnatural places creates more potential for health concerns to arise in and around your mouth. Here are two things you should not be surprised to hear when your dentist spots an oral piercing for the first time in your mouth.

Oral Piercings Can Cause Damage to Your Gums or Teeth

According to the American Dental Association, oral piercing situated near the gums can cause damage. The tendency of a wearer to bite and play with the piercing in their mouth can cause the ring or stud to rub against the gums repeatedly. This foreign metal movement can cause gum loss, which can put the health of your teeth at risk and cause problems with tooth sensitivity.

On the other hand, piercings can also cause damage to the teeth in much the same way as they can the gums. The consistent tapping of a foreign object against the teeth, such as would be expected with a tongue ring, can fracture a tooth if you are not careful.

Piercings Mean You Have to Be Extra Vigilant About Oral Care

The mouth is home to millions of different forms of bacteria, both good and bad. These bacteria are present in your saliva, in the food you eat, and throughout the oral cavity. If you are not careful with an oral piercing, it can easily become infected. Therefore, it's important to maintain good oral hygiene if you do have a piercing.

Your dentist will likely recommend that you clean your piercings often and be extra cautious about keeping your dental checkup appointments and regular teeth cleaning visits with the hygienist. You should also keep in mind that the more piercings you have, the more effort and time you will have to put into keeping your mouth as clean as possible.

If you are considering getting an oral piercing of any type, it is a good idea to talk to a dentist like Carolina Forest Family Dentistry about any oral health concerns that could be associated with them. While piercing professionals are familiar with the proper piercing techniques and tools, they are not medical professionals.