These days oral piercing is considered
trendy, and if you or someone you know has been thinking about lip, tongue,
uvula, yes that tissue that calls the back of your throat home, or cheek
piercing, your dentist has some information that he would like to share that
just may change your mind.
According to the American Dental Association,
oral piercing not only causes infections, but could also be to blame for
infectious diseases such as Herpes Simplex and Hepatitis. Oral Piercings could
also cause permanent nerve damage, problems with your heart, excessive bleeding,
and gum disease.
Because your mouth is moist, it is home to
millions of bacteria. That bacterium is the perfect place for an infection.
Infections can quickly spread and could become a threat to your life if not
treated immediately.
Your dentist has seen his fair share of oral
piercings gone wrong including tongue swelling so bad that it meant a trip to
the hospital. Swelling is normal, but if it blocks the passageways, you may not
be able to breathe.
People who wear tongue, lip, and uvula or
cheek jewelry have a habit of playing or biting down on the barbells, posts, or
rings. Doing so can injure your gums. If this occurs, your gums could recede
leading to eventual tooth loss. Playing with your mouth jewelry could also
crack dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, and caps not to mention
breaking or damaging healthy teeth.
If you are sensitive to metals, you will find
out quickly if you wear mouth jewelry. Allergic reactions can also occur at the
site of the piercing itself.
An increase in the production of your saliva
is a real possibility following oral piercings. In fact, you may notice that
you are drooling uncontrollably, and when you think about it, who wants to do
that?
After an oral piercing your dentist will tell you that numbness is normal,
but according to your dentist, that numb feeling could become permanent,
especially if you had your tongue pierced by someone who damaged the tiny
nerves. This will affect your sense of taste and how your mouth moves when you
speak.
Undetected heart problems could suddenly
become a real issue if you have had your cheek, lip, uvula, or tongue pierced.
Your heart and your heart valves could become infected with a disease known as Endocarditis
if a bacterium hits your bloodstream.
