Dental Risks Associated with Piercing

Dentists increasingly see a number of people for problems associated with oral piercings. Lip and tongue piercings cause dental problems ranging from gum damage and chipped teeth to much more serious conditions, such as blood infections that lead to death. Dentists are concerned that many young people are unaware of the dangers and long-term damage that piercings cause.

Chipping

• Tongue jewelry is usually in the barbell style. A straight bar goes through the tongue with a decorative stud on the tongue's surface and a small stud under the tongue to hold it in place. People with a barbell tongue piercing are in danger of chipping and cracking their front teeth. This is due to tongue movement, and the fact that many people with piercings tend to play with them by clicking them against the teeth. In some cases, teeth are broken. Dental Health says that while repair with crowns and fillings is an option, keeping the piercing in can also damage the repairs. Most barbell tongue jewelry is made of metal, which is tough on tooth enamel. A slightly safer solution is acrylic barbell jewelry.

Gums and Gaps

• Tongue and lip piercings increase the risk of gum disease. Although lip piercings don't usually cause tooth damage, the metal rubs against the external gums. Tongue piercings rub the inner gums and cause the same type of damage. This damage sometimes requires gum surgery. A study by the University of Buffalo discovered that people with tongue piercings risk developing gaps between the front teeth. This is caused by playing with the stud and pushing it hard against the back of the front teeth.

Swallowing and Infection

• There is a risk of swallowing the piercing. Playing with the stud and natural tongue movement may loosen the fastening. There is a risk of choking and in some cases, the barbell can get stuck in the lungs. Dental Health also points out that there are a number of major blood vessels connecting the tongue to the brain and that piercings can lead to infections in the blood that travel to other organs, including the brain.

Nerve Damage

• Having the tongue pierced is a risk in itself. If a major blood vessel in the tongue is damaged during piercing, it will require surgery to repair it. It can also cause substantial blood loss. Nerve damage is another risk. The tongue is full of nerves and damage to any one of them is irreparable. It may cause the tongue to lose all its functions. Tongue piercings are also associated with toothache, or neuralgia. However, dentists state that when a piercing causes neuralgia, it is difficult to provide adequate pain relief, and pain can be long lasting.