Piercing Information: What to Know About Oral Piercings

Piercing Information: What to Know About Oral Piercings

Piercing Information: What to Know About Oral Piercings

Self-expression comes in many forms, including body piercings. While oral piercings may be in style, it is important to acknowledge that having a foreign object in your mouth creates some risks for your dental hygiene. At Krengel Dental, we make sure that whether you are considering, just got or have had an oral piercing, you know what you need to know about risks and how to minimize these risks. 

When considering an oral piercing, it is important to acknowledge these potential risks:

  • Chipped teeth: When jewelry can hit your teeth when eating, sleeping or talking, there is a heightened risk of chipping or fracturing your tooth. Fillings and crowns can help fix any minor chips, however a deeper fracture or break in your tooth may require full extraction or a root canal. 
  • Infection: Unfortunately, your mouth breeds a lot of bacteria. When an area of the mouth is punctured due to a piercing, bacteria has an easier chance of entering the bloodstream. Touching the area of the piercing or poor hygiene near the piercing can also increase the risk of infection.
  • Swollen or damaged gums: If your jewelry rubs against your gums, the gums may recede and expose the root of the tooth, leading to increased sensitivity. Swelling due to piercings, especially after the piercing, is common.
  • Damage to nerves: the nerves located around the piercing have a risk of being damaged, which can cause numbness or tingling in the area, on your tongue and in your mouth. It is also possible for your sense of taste to be diminished due to the nerve damage. 

While these risks can most often times be minimized by attending to dental hygiene, it is important to take these risks into account and discuss any concerns with your dentist before getting a piercing. 

If you are planning on getting an oral piercing or have an oral piercing that is old or new, it is important to keep up with your dental hygiene and keep the area clean. Using an antiseptic mouthwash after eating, brushing and flossing twice a day and being sure to brush the area around your piercing  will help minimize potential risks. And last but not least, make sure to let your friendly Krengel Dentist know about your piercing and be vocal about any side-effects you notice.

Whether you are considering a piercing or have one, your Krengel Dental team is here to help you and maximize your support at every point. Call us today (952-888-1311) with any questions or to schedule an appointment.