Oral Piercing – Is It Worth It?

What is oral piercing?

Piercing the oral cavity has become a trend, especially amongst teenagers. Oral piercing is a procedure in which people accessorise their tongue or lips with small earrings. It is not an easy technique. It can lead to severe pain, swelling, taste loss, infection and other problems. Therefore, it is important to first understand the post piercing symptoms and then decide whether or not you still want to pierce your mouth.

Issues regarding oral piercing

Oral piercing can lead to severe infection, swelling of the gums and tongue, feeling of tastelessness and more. However, one of the most common issues reported is fractured teeth. This can happen when people accidently chip their tooth on the inserted jewellery during sleeping, eating or talking. Severe fractures can affect deep inside your tooth and can lead to the need for root canal or treatment or even tooth extraction.

Things to remember!

Before deciding to go for an oral piercing, it is imperative to know every single detail about it. Most importantly the regulations on such piercing vary from state to state and place to place. Make sure you consult a professional experienced in performing oral piercing and ensure that the piercing studio uses sterilized instruments and fresh and new needle for every customer. The use of unsterilized needles and instruments can lead to infection including hepatitis and HIV. Last but not least, be sure that you are not allergic or intolerant to the jewellery that is inserted into the piercing.

Serious complications of oral piercing

Swelling around the treated area is common after an oral piercing, however, in the case of infection in the gums, teeth or tongue, professional dental and/or medical assistance should be sought immediately. Infections can lead to severe tooth decay, gum issues and oral cancer.

How to keep it safe

A person who has decided to go for oral piercing should maintain excellent care of the oral cavity. Use the following tips on a daily basis:

brushing your teeth at least twice a day
make sure the bristles of the brush are soft so that they don’t harm the pierced area
use an excellent quality antiseptic mouthwash after every meal
remove the pierced jewellery at the time of eating, sleeping or playing