Know The Facts About Oral Piercings - General and Cosmetic Dentistry

health risks of oral piercings Englewood

Body piercings are increasingly common. This post from Dayton dentists at Vitangeli Dental is for those who currently have an oral piercing or are considering one.

Since this is a dental blog, you may expect us to raise all sorts of alarms about the dangers of piercings. You are right. Unfortunately, these piercings and the jewelry they accommodate can lead to serious problems with not only your teeth and mouth, but your entire body. These piercings can bring about tooth damage, dental caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, bone recession, compromised immune system function and, in rare cases, death.

In general, any oral piercing is going to open you up to an array of harmful oral infections and complications. The mouth is full of germs and introducing foreign objects permanently is not natural for your body’s health.

A tongue piercing can bring about difficulty chewing with unnatural chewing patterns that may lead to swallowing troubles. The jewelry produces excess saliva from the salivary glands, which throws off the natural balance of your oral cavity. Permanent nerve deterioration, excessive bleeding, and allergic reactions can also occur.

Metal jewelry also can easily come in contact with your teeth, leading to cracked, chipped, or damaged teeth. Your teeth are built to last a lifetime. Chips, cracks, and enamel erosion compromise their durability and shorten their lifespan.

Complications with some piercings develop by the introduction of hepatitis and herpes simplex viruses, and even more complications have occurred with bacteria entering the bloodstream and eventually lodging in the heart valve. In rare cases, such infections are fatal.

Though not technically a piercing, some Ohio people drill small holes in their teeth to place rhinestones or other jewelry. Drilling into a tooth is harmful for many reasons, including damage that can make a root canal required. The jewel also can attract bacteria that can directly go into the drilled cavity of the tooth.

At Vitangeli Dental in Dayton, the dentists encourage patients with oral piercings to remove their jewelry. If you plan to keep it, get regular dental cleanings and check-ups. That’s something we provide as part of our general dentistry. We also offer cosmetic dentistry services. Make an appointment today.