Having a tongue piercing or other oral piercing can look cool, but did you know that it can also damage your teeth and oral health. There are a number of different things that can happen when you get an oral piercing and a number of risks you open yourself up to.
Before you pierce your tongue, cheeks, or lips, think about what it could do to your mouth.
The Piercing Could Become Infected
One of the immediate risks of an oral piercing is that it could become infected. The mouth is full of different bacteria. While some are helpful, others are not. The moist environment of the mouth makes it an ideal location for bacteria to multiply and infect the piercing location. If you have your tongue pierced, it could become inflamed. That could block your airway and make it difficult to breathe.
You Could Crack a Tooth
If you bite down on your tongue piercing or on a lip piercing, you could crack a tooth. You could also cut your gums or scratch the enamel off of your teeth. If you’ve had a filling or crown, it’s also possible to knock them off with your piercing.
There’s a Risk of Permanent Nerve Damage
While it doesn’t happen to everyone, there is a chance you could permanently damage the nerves in your tongue. Usually, the numb feeling that occurs with a tongue piercing goes away after a few days, but it can also be permanent. This can affect your sense of taste and even your speech.
Be Careful
If you decide you want to get an oral piercing, do pay close attention to it during the first month or so. Watch for any sign of infection, including pain, swelling, fever, and red streaks. Make certain to keep it as clean as possible, and come see us right away if you believe something’s wrong.
