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WHY WOULD DENTAL<\/b> health professionals want to weigh in on oral piercings? There aren\u2019t many fashion choices that impact oral health, but this one does. The unfortunate reality is that lip and tongue piercings pose serious hazards to the teeth and oral tissues. Anyone considering getting one should be aware of the risks.<\/p>\nThe Biggest Risks With Lip and Tongue Piercings<\/h3>\n
All piercings \u2014 even the extremely common earlobe piercing \u2014 come with certain risks. They can become infected or you might discover a previously unknown allergy to the metal<\/strong>. These risks apply to oral piercings too, but they aren\u2019t the only ones.<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard enough not to fidget with a stuck piece of food between your teeth when you can\u2019t get a toothpick or some floss, but at least poking at those with our tongues won\u2019t result in chipped or cracked teeth, damage our fillings, or risk soft tissue injuries<\/strong> in the tongue, gums, or lips. Fidgeting with a piercing can easily lead to any of those outcomes, which should be a serious consideration for anyone thinking about getting a lip or tongue ring.<\/p>\n If not properly placed, a tongue piercing can cause nerve temporary or permanent nerve damage, which could include symptoms like numbness, difficulty with speech and chewing, and can even impact the sense of taste<\/strong>. The gum tissue, meanwhile, can be worn away by the constant friction with a piercing, leaving the roots exposed and vulnerable to decay.<\/p>\n When you combine the normal risk of infection any piercing has with the amount and variety of bacteria that lives in the human mouth, oral piercings are much harder to keep healthy than a simple ear piercing<\/strong>. Symptoms of an infected piercing include pain, swelling, and inflammation, as well as chills, fever, or shaking. Good oral hygiene habits are absolutely essential for minimizing infection risk.<\/p>\nFidgeting Can Do Permanent Damage<\/h4>\n
Risk of Nerve Damage and Gum Recession<\/h4>\n
More on Piercing Infections<\/h4>\n