Body piercings are a common form of self-expression. This post from your Decatur dentist is for those who currently have an oral piercing or are considering one.
Since this is a dental blog, you may expect the Decatur Smiles team to raise all sorts of alarms about the dangers of piercings. You’re right. Unfortunately, these piercings and the jewelry they accommodate can lead to serious problems with not only your teeth and mouth, but your entire body. These piercings can result in tooth damage, dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, bone recession, compromised immune system function and, in rare cases, death.
In general, any oral piercing is going to open you up to an array of harmful oral infections and complications. The mouth is full of germs, and introducing foreign objects permanently is not natural for your body’s health.
A tongue piercing can cause difficulty chewing with unnatural chewing patterns that may lead to swallowing issues. The jewelry produces excess saliva from the salivary glands, which throws off the natural balance of your oral cavity. Permanent nerve damage, excessive bleeding, and allergic reactions can also occur.
Metal jewelry also can easily come in contact with your teeth, leading to cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth. Your teeth are built to last a lifetime. Chips, cracks, and enamel erosion compromise their durability and shorten their life span.
Complications with some piercings ensue by the introduction of hepatitis and herpes simplex viruses, and even more complications have occurred with bacteria entering the bloodstream and eventually lodging in the heart valve. In rare cases, such infections are fatal.
Though not technically a piercing, some Alabama people drill small holes in their teeth to place rhinestones or other jewelry. Drilling into a tooth is dangerous for many reasons, including damage that can make a root canal needed. The jewel also can attract bacteria that can directly go into the drilled cavity of the tooth.
Your Decatur dentist encourages patients with oral piercings to remove their jewelry before it puts their health at risk. If you plan to keep it, get regular dental cleanings and check-ups at Decatur Smiles. In addition to cleanings and checkups, we provide general and cosmetic dentistry. Make an appointment to see us today.
Contact Decatur Smiles:
256-350-5820
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1316 Somerville Rd SE Ste 2
Decatur, Alabama
35601
