Oral Piercings and Oral Health

Bodily piercings are very common. It’s likely that you or a friend has a body piercing. Although not entirely common, about 5% of young adults have oral piercings. These may be a form of self-expression, but they also pose a threat to health.

A few problems posed include:

• Infections. Your mouth is a warm and moist environment, which means a great breeding ground for certain bacteria, especially when introducing new bacteria while handling the piercing.
• Nerve damage. If a nerve is damaged during piercing, temporary or permanent numbness can result.
• Damage to teeth. Mouth jewelry can increase your risk of chipping or cracking a tooth.
• Gum disease. Oral piercings increase the risk of gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.
• Endocarditis. Endocarditis can occur if bacteria enters the bloodstream, causing inflammation of the heart.
• Disease transmission. They can be a risk factor for transmitting diseases like herpes simplex virus and hepatitis B and C.

If you, or someone you know, is considering an oral piercing, discuss it with your dentist or contact us to assess the risk factors, and review how to properly care for oral piercings.