Oral Health | Tongue Piercings and Oral Health

A tongue or lip piercing can pose a number of issues to your health. For starters, because there are no regulations over body piercings, there is a risk of contracting hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases due to unclean piercing needles. 

Besides the general health concerns that come from an oral piercing, mouth piercings have the opportunity to create issues with your oral health as well.

These issues include:

• Bleeding in your mouth for no other apparent reason

• Developing more infections

• Swelling of your lips, cheek, or tongue

• Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth

• Airway Obstruction/Snoring

• Too much saliva productions

• A receding gum line

Some of these issues are fairly common among people who have oral piercings. One study found that gum recession occurred in 50% of people who had a lip piercing and 44% who had a tongue piercing. In the same study, 26% of the individuals with a tongue piercing had some form of tooth damage. 

Tips to care for oral piercings

If you have any kind of oral piercing already, there are some ways to make sure you limit the risk of issues, including practicing good oral hygiene. Be sure you are brushing and flossing twice per day, using toothpaste with fluoride and using a mouthwash that is alcohol-free. 

It is important to keep the piercing site clean and be sure to notice any signs of potential issues. These include any pain, tenderness, swelling or unusual discharges from the piercing site.

Besides choosing not to get an oral piercing, the best way to keep a healthy mouth is through good oral hygiene and routine trips to the dentist. If you do have an oral piercing, your dentist will be able to give you tips on how to best care for it.

Searching for a periodontist?

If you need periodontal care, oral surgery, or dental implants, Periodontal Associates of Jackson can help! Feel free to schedule an appointment at our office in Jackson, MS.