Cosmetic Dentist - Oral Piercing

Arizona including Phoenix, Scottsdale and Payson

Piercing the tongue, lip or cheek may be attractive to some but whether it is a form of self-expression or art, those who have oral piercing may be looking to their dentists for help afterwards. There are a number of health-related risks associated with oral piercing.

Oral Piercing Risks

Usually it is the tongue which is pierced. The tongue is highly vascular, meaning that it has many blood vessels, and they must be avoided when the tongue is pierced. Usually the tongue is pierced at the tip or through the center and a barbell is inserted. Sometimes it is pierced on one side or on the top.

Fractured teeth are the number one common problem for those with oral piercings. This can occur while they are sleeping, eating, talking or chewing on the jewelry.
Root canals may be needed due to the severity of the fractures.
Gum recession
Gum disease
Infection in the gums, tongue or any part of the mouth; and possibly:

Ludwig’s angina – infection and swelling of the tissue beneath the tongue, which can spread into the throat and interfere with breathing

An allergic reaction to the metal used for piercing
Endocarditis – Because of the wound created by the piercing, there's a chance that bacteria could enter the bloodstream and lead to the development of endocarditis – an inflammation of the heart or its valves -- in certain people with underlying (and often undiagnosed and without symptoms) heart problems.
Hemorrhaging (bleeding)
Nerve damage
Galvanic currents and possible aspiration or ingestion if the jewelry becomes loose.
Swelling
Hepatitis
HIV
Herpes simplex
Tetanus

Swelling in the mouth and jaw areas can cause difficulty with eating, swallowing and speech. You might lose your sense of taste and the tongue could become numb and lose its mobility. Sometimes there is excess saliva.

What to Look For When you go for Oral Piercing

If you just can’t part with your oral piercing or piercings, here are some useful suggestions on how to assessing the piercing facility:

Check for infection control and sterilization standards—disposable gloves, sterile or disposable instruments, sterilized jewelry.
Look for quality piercers—the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to upholding safety standards and certification of profession piercers.
Check the quality of jewelry—surgical grade stainless steel, 14-karat gold or niobium oral jewelry (the finishes on costume jewelry can quickly wear off, leaving rough surfaces that can irritate the pierced sites, sometimes leading to infection).
Make sure that an appropriate size of jewelry is used.

Recovery and Care for Your Piercing

It will take three to four weeks for an oral piercing to heal, assuming there are no complications. After the swelling subsides and the healing is complete, the tongue will need a shorter barbell. Diligently keep the mouth clean by flossing and brushing daily.

When you come for your dental cleaning and check-up, we will check your piercings and make sure that your mouth stays healthy.

Warning Signs of Infection

If you notice any of these warning signs, immediately contact us or your physician:

Green or yellow discharge from the piercing (but clear or whitish discharge is normal).
Darkening around the pierced site and scarring or a build-up of thick tissue.
Redness and swelling at the pierced site, along with tenderness or pain. This would indicate an infection.
An abscess at the pierced location.
Any bleeding at the pierced site after healing is complete.
Persistent low-grade fever during the days after your piercing.

For information on some other dental risks, please see the pages on Effects of Smoking on Your Mouth, Meth Mouth, and Dry Mouth.

If you are feeling the need for some dental attention, there is also good information on Common Cosmetic Dental Problems and TMJ Treatment.