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Oral Piercings and Oral Health

Posted June 12, 2015


Are you considering getting a piercing in your tongue, cheek, or lip? Before getting an oral piercing, there are a few things you need to know about how it can negatively affect your oral health.

  • Because your mouth is full of bacteria, the risk for infection and swelling from a piercing increases.
  • You can crack your teeth with the constant clicking of a piercing or if you bite down on it.
  • Your sense of taste can be altered.
  • Piercings can interfere with speech, chewing, and swallowing.
  • You could choke on a piece of jewelry if it breaks of in your mouth.
  • You may experience an allergic reaction to the metal of a piercing.
  • A pierce can cause increased saliva production which can lead to excessive drooling.
  • A tongue piercing can caused prolonged bleeding.
  • Your mouth and tongue can swell so much that they can block your airway.
  • A piercing can cause nerve damage, permanently numbing the tongue and affecting how you move your mouth.
  • Oral piercings can damage gum tissue and lead to gingival recession.
  • Oral piercings can result in more serious infections like endocarditis or hepatitis.