Body modifications are a way to express your individuality. However, when you have oral piercings, your dentist may recommend extra precautions to prevent complications. While piercings of the tongue, cheeks, and lips can present the risks below, you can avoid them if you do not want to give up the look.

How to Practice Proper Dental Care With Oral Piercings

1. Infection

The mouth is a bacteria-rich environment. For this reason, piercings in the oral cavity may be more prone to infection than other sites of the body. Thus, maintaining excellent dental care is extremely significant. In addition to brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, rinse your mouth out after eating to prevent any excess food from sticking in the piercing. If you take the modification out, clean the area thoroughly.

2. Damage to Soft Tissue

Metal piercings can scratch the mouth’s soft tissue and result in long-term injury. For instance, 50% of people with lip piercings and 44% of people with tongue piercings experience receding gums. Many also experience tooth chipping and erosion. Avoid rubbing the jewelry against the teeth or gums, and remove the piercing if it moves out of place due to stretching.

3. Numbness

The tongue is a complex organ with a network of nerves, blood vessels, and thousands of taste buds. Piercing the tongue causes trauma and may result in numbness, which could be temporary or permanent. This may interfere with tasting and speaking. If you notice your jewelry causing any of these issues, remove it before the problem worsens, and make an appointment with your dentist to assess the issue.

4. Allergic Reaction

You may also experience a reaction to the metal in the jewelry at the piercing site. This can cause pain, swelling, and discoloration of the affected area. While nickel-plated jewelry is a common culprit behind allergic reactions, there are hypoallergenic alternatives, such as stainless steel, titanium, or gold.

5. Dental Appointment Challenges

Most dentists recommend yearly X-rays to look for early signs of cavities or other dental abnormalities. However, the metal in your piercing may distort the image. For the sake of accurate pictures and diagnostics, your dentist may advise you to remove the piercing. The hygienist may also request removal of piercings so that they don’t interfere with cleaning instruments.

If you’re seeking a dentist’s office that caters to your unique oral care needs, turn to PdC Dentistry S.C. Serving Prairie, WI, this team offers same-day appointments and comprehensive services, including preventive and restorative care. See their full list of treatment options online, or schedule an appointment by calling (608) 326-8458.