How does tongue piercing affect the health of your teeth
Posted on 2/21/2022 by Barbara Ketchum
Getting your tongue pierced could be a hallmark for individuality and expression of self. However, they are prone to infection, just like any other piercing. A tongue piercing is an ornamental body piercing placed in through the tongue and is an oral piercing.
Effects of tongue piercing on oral health
Swelling and pain in the first few days after getting a piercing are guaranteed. It isn't easy to speak, eat, or perform other mouth functions properly with a painful and swelling tongue. Maintaining proper hygiene is also tricky, as any attempt to brush the tongue is accompanied by excruciating pain. Lack of proper hygiene could lead to plaque buildup, which might cause an infection and delay the healing of the piercing.
Bumping the tongue piercing the teeth or biting on it might crack or chip the teeth. The piercing could also cause cracking and chipping of the teeth and gum damage. Breaking or cracking opens up the teeth to a range of complications, for example, sensitivity and cavities. The cracked tooth might have exposed the dentin causes hypersensitivity. When a tooth is cracked, it is more prone to decay.
Tongue piercings could also trap food remains and accumulate plaque, leading to other oral diseases like periodontitis and other bacterial infections. Sometimes. The nerves could get temporarily or permanently damaged while getting a piercing, which causes you to lose the sense of taste and have impaired mouth movements. Feeling numb after the procedure indicates possible nerve damage.
How to go about a tongue piercing
All oral piercings affect oral health; this includes tongue piercings. Before getting the tongue pierced, it is essential to discuss with the dentist the possible risks involved and how to mitigate these risks to ensure you don't compromise your oral health. Ensuring good oral hygiene after getting a piercing, with mouth rinses after every meal ensures the piercing area is clean and free of bacteria. It is also vital to ensure that the piercing artist is well experienced to avoid the risk of damaged nerves.