Lip and tongue piercing is a fashion trend nowadays. Although they may look cool but did you know they can bring serious damage to your oral health? Are you thinking about getting jewelry for your tongue or lip? Decide for yourself if the risks associated with oral piercings are worth it.

These five (5) possible pitfalls might change your mind about getting pierced.

Chipped teeth. Chips and fractures may occur from jewelry hitting your teeth while sleeping, eating and talking as well as from playing with the jewelry in your mouth. Minor chips and fractures can be fixed with fillings or crowns; deeper fractures and breaking off large pieces of teeth may send you for a root canal or tooth extraction.

Damaged gums. Oral jewelry can rub against your gums, causing your gums to pull away from teeth and exposing the root. This damage can lead to sensitive teeth and require procedures like root canals or extraction.

This is a common occurrence after piercing, but if your tongue swells too much, your airway could become blocked.

Nerve damage. Temporary or permanent nerve damage can occur, making your tongue or mouth numb. Nerve damage can also affect your sense of taste and how you move your mouth.

Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria — when it’s punctured during piercing, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Poor brushing habits and touching the piercing with unclean hands can also lead to infection.

Blood-borne diseases. Piercing instruments that are not properly sterilized can transmit diseases such as hepatitis.

Meanwhile, for those who already have oral piercings, follow these tips to minimize the risk of infection and damage:

Keep it clean. Use an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal in addition to your twice-daily brushing and flossing. And make sure to brush your jewelry to remove any unseen plaque!

Go small(er). Your piercer probably used a larger barbell to allow space for swelling; once the swelling goes down, switch to a smaller barbell that is less likely to cause damage.

Play it safe. Once your piercing is healed, remove your jewelry before playing sports, eating and sleeping. Get a plastic tongue ring retainer to plug the hole when you remove your metal.

But still, the best option is to consider removing mouth jewelry before it causes a problem. Don’t pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your life, requiring constant attention and upkeep. Talk to your dentist for more information on how to keep your mouth healthy.

If you are looking for a Dentist in Brampton,Ontario Dr. is available for all your oral health care needs. She strongly believes in the importance of providing quality dental care and assuring that patients always feel comfortable and safe. Call (insert name of dentistry) now to book an appointment.