Oral Piercings Could Cause Lasting Damage
Body modification has developed much more popularity in the last few decades. Tattoos and piercings have lost some of their taboo quality and become representative of more mainstream fashion. Undoubtedly this has made the safety and health standards stricter than they once were, but oral piercings still put the human mouth at risk.
About 50% of oral bacteria live on the tongue. That means piercing your tongue can pose some serious issues to the equilibrium of your mouth, gums, teeth, and throat. Your sense of taste can be affected to different degrees of severity after the implementation of a mouth stud, and temporary to permanent numbness is a rare but recorded side effect. This could be the result of nerve damage from an improperly pierced tongue.
Infection is another concern due to the presence of oral bacteria. Swelling at the site of the piercing is guaranteed for the first few days of recovery. After that, you must stick to a very specific cleaning regimen as food can become lodged in the piercing and create an unhygienic environment leading to a buildup of bacteria. If left unchecked, these bacteria could grow and spread to infect other areas of your body.
Lip piercings are less invasive, but can still result in damage and scarring. They can also damage your teeth, which are sensitive to interactions with foreign elements like the metal found in these rings. Accidentally biting or chewing on the piercing can break or chip them.
Most family dentists would advise their patients against getting any sort of oral alteration. If you do decide to go through with a mouth piercing of some kind, be sure to find a reliable shop with experienced technicians and clean tools. The human mouth is an extremely delicate and sensitive place. The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body; we use it to talk and to eat. Remember this when making a decision that could affect your long-term health and call your family dentist for a consultation today.