Damage To Teeth And Gums
Dentists often have to repair the extensive damage caused by oral jewelry. This includes repairing teeth that have been chipped and cracked by the metal. A recent study by Ohio State University found that lip piercings make you 41% more likely to suffer from receding gums. This risk only increases the longer you have them in.
Once the wound has healed, the risks and potential problems are still there and it only heightens with improper care. Those who fail to look after their oral jewelry find that the skin eventually grows in or around the metal and can eventually grow over it completely. The body may see this as an invader and cause a serious infection. Sadly, this problem is frequent and often not noticed in time. In fact, their dentist is often the first to notice it.
Heart Problems
Dentists say this kind of jewelry doesn't just affect your oral health. Oral piercings can be devastating and even deadly due to heart complications. A large amount of bacteria lives in our mouths and when you have piercings in your mouth or lips, that bacterium has a direct link to your blood stream. The bacterium eventually makes its way to your heart causing an extremely serious infection called Infective Endocarditis.
This is an infection of the heart's lining, which causes extensive and permanent damage to this life-giving organ. You might experience fevers, headaches, night sweats, and fatigue as well as joint pain, rash, and appetite loss. Other signs of this deadly illness include heart murmurs, valve complications, bleeding under the nails, anemia, and a swollen spleen.
Disease And Nerve Problems
Even if you research the piercer well before having your tongue or lip done, dentists say it increases your risk of suffering nerve damage and exposes yourself to deadly diseases. The tongue is a muscle, but it is also a mass of nerves and major blood vessels. Having one of these hit by the needle or piercing could cause your mouth to become numb or even permanently paralyzed. Bleeding problems are also possible and can become extremely serious if the piercer is ill equipped or unaware of these situations. Developing diseases like HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis are highly likely. Even if you choose a specialist that is extremely careful when sterilizing their equipment, eating or drinking after you have it done significantly increases the risks of contracting these diseases.
Whether you see a Downers Grove dentist or a professional elsewhere in the country, they will tell you to stay away from tongue or lip rings. The damage these seemingly innocent items cause may range from a slight irritation to disease, but they are often permanent. They state that if patients want to have a piercing, they should be well aware of the possible consequences and ensure they are willing to risk it for the sake of fashion.
Christine O'Kelly writes for Grove Dental, dentist in Downers Grove IL. As a full service Downers Grove dentist group, they offer pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, peridontics, and endodontic treatments.
