An oral piercing is a term for any piercing of the tongue, lips or cheek for the use of jewelry embellishments. These piercings have become trendy in some social circles. If you are thinking about getting such a piercing, however, you need to know first how it might harm your dental health.

-Infection: Jewelry can be the vehicle for foreign bacteria entering your mouth. This can be particularly problematic if you have a tongue piercing, but any oral piercing can amplify your risk of an infection, whether in or around the mouth.

-Excessive bleeding: If your piercing goes wrong and a blood vessel is pierced as well, you may experience prolonged bleeding and blood loss.

-Pain and Swelling: These are actually fairly common in cases of oral piercings. In extreme situations swelling of the tongue may close your breathing airways. In this case, take a trip to the ER as soon as possible..

-Injury to Teeth and Gums: Your tongue or the back of the jewelry around the lip may sustain habitual contact with your teeth. This increases your teeth’s chances of a chip or crack. The jewelry may also scratch against your soft gum tissue, causing your gums to recede.

-Interference with oral functions: Jewelry can incite overactive salivary glands, which can in turn impinge on how you speak, chew and swallow.

We at French Run Family Dental certainly do not want to impede upon your sense of individuality, but considering the risks of oral piercings, we professionally counsel you to find another way to express yourself. If you decide to move ahead with the piercing, please know that you can always contact Dr. Carly Locsey and the rest of our staff at French Run Family Dental at the first indication of any oral problem. We are located in Reynoldsburg, Ohio and our phone number is 614-866-1234. We’d be pleased to see you!