How Oral Piercings Affect Dental Care
If you are thinking of getting an oral piercing, you should first consider the complications associated with these types of piercings, including those regarding your dental health. There are health risks associated with all types of oral piercings including tongue piercings, lip piercings, and cheek piercings. In this blog post, Philadelphia cosmetic dentist Bruce Wilderman discusses complications associated with oral piercings that may affect dental care.
How Oral Piercings Affect Dental Care
One of the most common complications associated with oral piercings is infection. Patients with oral piercings have a high risk of infection at the site of their piercings. This risk of infection stems from the high concentration of bacteria found within the oral cavity of the piercing. The risk of infection also becomes higher when the piercing site is touched with unwashed hands, comes into contact with unclean objects, and is exposed to drinks and foods that contain bacteria.
The complications that can develop with oral piercings pose a danger to your oral health. Another disadvantage of oral piercings is that these complications also affect the aesthetics of the smile. Teeth that have been affected by oral piercings often become chipped and cracked, robbing your smile of its beauty. There are many possible complications associated with oral piercings including:
- X-rays: Oral piercings can make it difficult to take dental x-rays
- Dental examinations: Dental examinations can be difficult to perform because of the presence of oral piercings
- Gum recession: The jewelry from oral piercings can hit and rub the gums causing them to recede. Receding gums can lead to major dental problems including tooth loss and injury to the gums.
- Broken teeth: It is extremely common for the jewelry from oral piercings to hit against the teeth. This can lead to tooth fractures, cracks in the teeth, and chips in the teeth.
- Loss of taste: The loss of taste is possible through the oral piercing procedure.
- Bacteria: Infection at the piercing site is possible and common with oral piercings. This bacteria can also lead to gum disease and decay within the teeth.
Oral Piercings and Porcelain Veneers
If you have suffered cracks or chips in the teeth from oral piercings, you may benefit from porcelain veneers. For our patients in Philadelphia, porcelain veneers can be used to improve the appearance of imperfections in the teeth including chips and cracks. Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. They may be used to improve the appearance of discolored teeth, crooked teeth, misshapen teeth, chipped and cracked teeth, and to close gaps between teeth.
Recommendations for Oral Piercings
Here are some helpful Philadelphia dental care tips for patients with oral jewelry:
- Remove the jewelry each night when you sleep
- Brush the jewelry each night
- Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after eating
- Remove your jewelry before strenuous activity to avoid injury to the mouth, gums, and teeth
Contact Artistic Expressions Dentistry Today
To learn more about how oral piercings affect dental care, or to schedule a personal examination, please contact Artistic Expressions Dentistry today. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.