While oral piercings may be fashionable, they pose health risks many people are not aware of. According to the staff at Four Corners Dental Group in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK, tongue, cheek, and lip piercings can cause a number of issues if not cared for correctly, which is why it’s important to speak with a dentist before getting them. Ultimately, it’s best to avoid these piercings altogether, so consider the risks below before forgoing your dentist’s advice.

3 Risks of Oral Piercings

1. Excessive Swelling

Oral wounds are especially sensitive to the food and bacteria found in the mouth. Because of this, the potential for inflammation is high after a piercing. Despite proper care, this can lead to extensive swelling that may spread to the airways. This can make it difficult to breathe and might even cause choking that requires emergency treatment. In other cases, swelling can cause permanent oral damage, especially to the gums.

2. Infection

Piercing sites take between four and six weeks to heal. During this time, the wounds, although small, are extremely susceptible to infection. The bacteria on your teeth or in foods may enter these wounds, causing pain, inflammation, and in more serious cases, tissue damage. These infections can be particularly hard to spot if you aren’t a dentist, and often, permanent damage is done before patients seek treatment.

3. Tooth Fractures

There’s no certainty that metal piercings will stay in place. An accident or awkward positioning may cause you to bite down on them. This is especially common with lip and cheek piercings. These fixtures can cause extensive damage to your teeth, such as chips, breaks, and fractures. Some incidents require cosmetic surgery, while others may require more intense repair. Large breaks open the door for inner-tooth infection, and in the most serious cases, you may lose a tooth.

If you need general or cosmetic dentistry services, turn to the staff at Four Corners Dental Group. Their dentists offer a variety of treatments and are dedicated to helping clients maintain a healthy smile. Call (907) 258-3384 for their Anchorage office or (907) 376-2790 for their Wasilla location. You can also visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their services.