Island Dental blog

Dentists Marco Island | How Tongue Piercings Can Affect Your Mouth

July 27, 2021

Researchers have discovered that patients who wear a metal stud in a tongue piercing are at risk for developing orthodontic problems. Not only that, but they are also risking their dental and general health. Piercings are becoming a very popular form of body art and self-expression in today’s generation. If you are involved in this trend, you should be aware that they come with health risks. It has been implicated several adverse oral and systematic conditions as oral piercings involve the cheeks, lips, tongue, or a combination of the sites inside and around the mouth area. Before having any part of your mouth pierced, seek advice from dentists Marco Island as they will be able to tell you upfront the risk associated with mouth piercings.

Dangers Involved with Oral Piercings

You may not be aware of the potential risks and dangers of oral piercings. These include:

  • Injury to the gums – Metal jewelry can cause gums to recede and injure soft gum tissue, which makes your tooth root susceptible to decay and periodontal disease.
  • Infection – Millions of bacteria live in our mouth which can lead to infection after an oral piercing.
  • Prolonged Bleeding – If a blood vessel is punctured by the needle during piercing, this can lead to difficult-to-control bleeding and serious blood loss.
  • Pain and Swelling -- These are common symptoms of oral piercings and in extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can close off the airway and restrict breathing.
  • Blood-Borne Diseases – The National Institute of Health have identified oral piercings as a possible factor in transmitting hepatitis B, C, D, and G.
  • Cracked or Chipped Teeth – Contact with oral jewelry can fracture teeth and those that have dental restorations such as crowns can also be damaged if the jewelry strikes them.
  • Endocarditis – Endocarditis is an inflammation of the heart valves or tissues. Oral piercings carry a risk of developing this infection as the wound created during oral piercings provide an opportunity for oral bacteria to travel into the bloodstream, where they can also travel to the heart.

Are You at Risk of Infection? Visit Our Dentists Marco Island

As long as your oral piercings do not interfere with your normal function, they can stay in your mouth as long as your mouth stays free of infection. At the first sign of pain, be sure to see our dentist prevent an infection from spreading. The risks involve damage to the teeth and jewelry that become loose gets ingested. To learn further about why oral piercings can be bad for you, contact Island Paradise Dental today to schedule a consultation with one of our best dentists Marco Island.

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