We put plenty of creativity and passion into achieving our look. Jewelry and fashion are how we stand out in the world. For some, piercings are the perfect way to express our individuality. Folks with piercings tend to be adventurous risk-takers. Ancient cultures practiced tongue piercings as part of religious and spiritual ceremonies. Tongue piercings are on the rise after a dip in the 2010s. But from a family dentist’s perspective, tongue and other oral piercings are a no-no. Oral piercings present unique health risks because of their location. Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the infection risk. Meanwhile, wearing jewelry in your mouth can cause problems, from chipped teeth to a higher risk of gum disease.
The tongue is the most common oral piercing location. But enthusiasts also get piercings in the lip, cheek, frenum (the piece of skin attaching the lip to the gums or the tongue to the floor of your mouth) and the uvula (the tissue that hangs from the back of your mouth into your throat). However, the American Dental Association and other groups advise against oral piercings. The higher risk of infection is one of the primary reasons they’re not a good idea. Unlike piercings in other locations, infected tongue piercings can lead to more severe health issues, including heart problems like endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of your heart’s chambers and valves. An elevated risk of heavy bleeding is another concern since your tongue is packed with blood vessels, so a poorly placed piercing can have scary consequences.
While losing an earring may be disappointing, losing a tongue stud presents a choking or swallowing hazard. The presence of jewelry in your mouth causes potential problems on several levels. Some patients have undetected allergies to jewelry. It can also become embedded in your oral tissue and require surgery to remove it. Finally, touching and adjusting oral jewelry brings your hands in contact with your mouth more frequently, introducing more bacteria.
Beyond the risks to your overall health, tongue piercings present specific risks to your teeth and oral health. Tongue studs can trap food particles and become magnets for bacteria and plaque. This increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. You can also chip a tooth or damage a filling or crown with metal jewelry, requiring costly repairs. Oral jewelry can also make basic oral care more challenging at home and make X-rays and other procedures in your dentist’s office harder.
If you decide to get a piercing, there are steps you can take to help you stay healthy and maintain good oral hygiene.
The Greenhill Family Dental Care team is here to help you make the best decisions about oral health. When it comes to tongue and other oral piercings, we’ll give you an honest opinion if you ask for advice. Our general recommendation is to choose a less problematic location for that piercing. Choose a spot that’s safer and easier to keep clean. However, we understand that sometimes self-expression rules the day. If you decide to go for it, we’ll give you strategies to keep your piercing clean and free from infection. And we’ll continue to provide you with the best possible dental care for your oral and overall health because nothing’s more on trend than a healthy smile.
