Oral piercings can be put in the lips, tongue, cheeks, and even the uvula at the back of the throat. These may seem like a cool thing to have, but the risks to your oral health are not so cool. Here are some ways an oral piercing can affect the health of your mouth.
- The mouth is full of bacteria, so obviously stabbing a hole in it is not a good idea. The chances of the piercing becoming infected are significantly increased inside the mouth.
- Piercings often swell after they are first received. This can be dangerous in the mouth because a piercing can cause so much swelling that the airway could become blocked.
- A piercing inside the mouth is bound to constantly click against the teeth. This clicking, or even biting the piercing, can cause fractures to develop in teeth.
- A piercing in the mouth leads to increased saliva production. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can result in an embarrassing excess of drool.
- A piercing in the tongue can cause so many problems such as prolonged bleeding, a change in taste, and nerve damage which can result in permanent numbness.
- If a piece of the piercing breaks off, you could choke on it. If it is swallowed, it can lead to further health problems.