Oral Piercing: The Hidden Danger to Your Oral Health and Body

Body piercing, like tattoos, is a popular form of body art and self-expression these days. One of the common types of body piercing is oral piercing. It is the cosmetic piercing of the oral cavity with insertion of objects such as rings, pins or studs.

The tongue is the most common oral piercing site. Other common piercing sites are the lips, frenum (a thin line of soft tissue between the lips and gums) or uvula (a fleshy structure hanging above the throat, at back of the soft palate). Oral piercing may also include peri-oral areas such as the cheeks, nose and chin. These piercings penetrate from inside the oral cavity to the skin surface.

Oral piercings are more typically seen in adolescents and young adults. Generally, a needle is inserted to create an opening and an ornament may be worn. The piercing can be fabricated from different materials such as stainless steel, gold, titanium or various alloys.

Pierced tongue Image source

Pierced frenulum Image source

Many studies and reports have since shown that oral piercing represents a risk to oral health and leads to many complications. This is because the mouth contains millions of bacteria. These bacteria can cause infection or migrate into bloodstream causing complications if there is no proper infection control during piercing.

Complications from oral piercing

It is important to realise that there are several possible risks and complications from oral piercing. Before jumping into it, evaluate and think carefully about these potential problems:

• Infection

  The oral cavity being a warm, moist environment is home to various breeding bacteria. Thus, infection can occur and may become life threatening if not treated promptly. For instance, tongue piercing may cause the tongue to swell, potentially leading to airway obstruction.

Image source

• Gum damage

  Persistent irritation of the piercing on the gums may cause damage such as gum recession

Image source

• Nerve damage

  Tongue piercing may lead to temporary nerve damage, sometimes permanent. The injured nerve may affect the sense of taste and movement of the tongue.

• Chipped or cracked teeth

  Playing with the piercing can lead to cracked, chipped or damaged fillings

Image source

• Interference with speech and swallowing

  Jewellery may interfere with speaking, chewing or swallowing

• Excessive bleeding

  Due to tongue’s vascular nature, especially with tongue piercing, prolonged bleeding may result if blood vessels are punctured during the procedure

• Blood-borne infections such as HIV or hepatitis

  Use of non-sterile equipments during piercing procedure increases risk of contracting blood-borne diseases.

• Internal damage

  Aspiration or ingested jewellery could pose a hazard to respiratory or digestive organs

Aftercare for oral piercing

A qualified piercing professional will provide information on what to expect during piercing and instructions to follow post piercing. The average healing period for oral piercings usually range from 1 to 6 months. Following are several aftercare tips for oral piercing:

• Contact a dentist or physician immediately if there is any sign of infection – swelling, fever, pain, increased redness, presence of yellow or green discharge
• Maintain good hygiene around the piercing site, with use of mouth rinse
• With clean hands, regularly check the threaded ends of the jewellery and retighten as necessary
• Avoid playing or putting stress against the piercing

Oral piercing is an added responsibility which requires constant maintenance and attention, besides exposing oneself to possible risks and complications. Thus, be mindful before considering getting an oral piercing.

If you need to consult a Dental Surgeon: call, send an enquiry or book an appointment on GetDoc.

Find a Dental Surgeon in Malaysia, on GetDoc

Find a Dental Surgeon in Singapore, on GetDoc

Tags

• body piercing
• Oral Health
• oral piercing
• tattoo