What are the effects of mouth piercings on teeth

Lip and tongue piercings are becoming increasingly popular among those who are looking for something a bit edgier than the usual piercings, and who see this as just another form of self-expression. Aesthetics and personal preferences aside, it is worthwhile to take a look at the possible complications that can arise as a result of mouth piercings, particularly with regard to the teeth.

There are many different types of oral piercings; they can be through the lip, cheek, or tongue, and there are numerous types of jewelry that can be used. However, there are just as many possible detrimental effects as a result of these types of piercings, due to their very nature. Meaning, rather than the piercing of an ear or other body part where the piercing is a stand-alone entity, in the case of mouth piercings they are continually in contact with other parts of the body, such as teeth or the inner cheek and roof of the mouth. Following are some of the issues that may arise due to oral piercings:

- Infections. The mouth is not a particularly sterile environment, and the introduction of a piercing creates a condition in which infections have the opportunity to proliferate. This is a result of the wound created by piercing, the amount of bacteria in the mouth, and the introduction of additional bacteria from handling the jewelry.

- Nerve damage/prolonged bleeding. Numbness or loss of sensation at the site of the piercing can occur if nerves have been damaged. Not only can there be prolonged bleeding – and again, due to the nature of the piercing it is difficult if not impossible to leave the wound alone to heal – but tongue swelling after piercing can be severe enough to block the airway and make breathing difficult. The tongue is particularly susceptible due to the possibility of hitting the lingual artery, a significant artery that runs through the tongue.

- Gum disease. Those who have with oral piercings have a greater risk of gum disease than those without. The jewelry can come into contact with gum tissue, which can cause not just injury but also a recession of gum tissue, which can lead to loose teeth and tooth loss. One study found gum recession in 35% of subjects who have had pierced tongues for four or more years, and in 50% wearing long-stemmed barbells for two or more years.

- Damage to teeth. This can be significant and is relatively common, as teeth that come into regular contact with metal jewelry have a tendency to chip or crack. Some studies have shown that 47% of people wearing barbell tongue jewelry for 4 or more years had at least one chipped tooth.

- Difficulties in daily oral functions. Tongue piercing can result in difficulty chewing and swallowing food, and can interfere with speech as well. This is a result of the fact that the jewelry stimulates an excessive production of saliva.

Clearly, those who choose to get oral piercings should be fully aware of the potential complications, many of which can be fairly significant in nature.

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