3 Health Risks Your Lip & Oral Piercings Can Cause
By: Dr. Amy See
If lip piercings are your thing, we aren’t here to judge. We believe everyone should be free to express themselves. However, when it comes to lip and oral piercings, there are a few things you should be aware of that come with having them.
A Few Concerns:
If you’re thinking about getting your tongue, lip, or cheek pierced, there are a few things you need to be aware of:
Infection. Since your mouth is always warm and moist, it’s the perfect place for bacteria to flourish. Having a piercing in your mouth increases the chance that these bacteria will cause an infection in that area. This is because once you create a hole in a place where bacteria already lives, it makes it very easy for an infection to occur. If you decide to get your tongue, lip, or cheek pierced, it’s important that you take this risk seriously. Because these infections can be serious, even life-threatening if you ignore the signs. A common infection for people with tongue piercings is for their tongue to swell up, causing their airway to close-up and they end-up having difficulty breathing.
Gum Disease. It’s way more common for people with oral piercings to have gum disease than those who do not. This is because having any foreign objects in your mouth (i.e. piercing jewelry), exponentially increases your chances of having gum damage. Once your gums become damaged from your piercing jewelry, it makes it much easier for the bacteria to wiggle in there and cause gum disease.
Tooth Damage. Let’s be honest, many people with oral piercings play with them. A lot. Clanking the jewelry against your teeth can cause them to chip or break, making dental treatment necessary. Clicking or accidentally biting the jewelry can also create tiny holes in your tooth enamel, and these openings make it very easy for bacteria and decay to set in. If this happens you may need a filling or, if it’s severe enough, even a root canal.
How To Care For Your Oral Piercing
To reduce your risk of infection, tooth damage, or gum disease, make sure you following tips to properly care for your oral piercing:
Disinfect and clean the area around your oral piercing thoroughly and often to help minimize bacteria and infection setting in.
Always rinse with water after eating to wash away food particles that can attract bacteria.
Avoid playing with your oral piercing to minimize the chance of tooth damage and damage to your gums.
If you’ve already had a part of your mouth pierced, keep an eye out for any signs of infection including swelling, redness, fever, chills, or shaking. If you notice any of the symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions or concerns about your oral piercing or if you’re thinking of getting one, give us a call at (919) 562-8200 and we’ll be happy to talk to you. If you feel you’re beginning to have symptoms of infection around your piercing, do not wait any longer to schedule an appointment to see us, otherwise, it can get worse very quickly.