Why The Dentist Says To Avoid Oral Piercings
- By Christine OKelly
- Published 10/28/2008
- Health
- Unrated
A dentist's patients often only think of avoiding sugary foods and drinks when it comes to maintaining a high level of dental health. A new study could change that. The research and subsequent poll of dental and medical health providers say piercings are extremely damaging to the body. It is possible for oral piercings to cause a wide range of complications, including death. Professionals are standing up and urging patients to avoid this trend at all costs.
Damages To The Teeth And Gums
Many a dentist is spending time repairing the damages caused by metal jewelry. Teeth are easily chipped or cracked from having the metal bang against them. Ohio State University found that 41% of those with lip rings or studs suffered from receding gum lines. This risk rose the longer the individual wore the metal.
The risks and fears don't end once the hole has healed. If the patient doesn't care for the piercing properly, this becomes even more likely. The skin will eventually grow around the jewelry when the area isn't cared for properly. If it goes unnoticed, the skin can completely cover over the metal, causing the body to send antibodies to fight the intruding object bringing on an infection. This problem often continues until the dentist notices it.
Heart Complications
In addition to negatively affecting your oral health, it can lower your general health and may even be fatal. Your mouth is home to many natural and foreign bacteria. When you make a hole in your mouth or lips, this bacterium gains access to your blood stream where it stays
until it reaches your heart. This causes an extremely serious illness called Infective Endocarditis.
This type of infection sets into your heart cavity and attacks the lining of your heart. The patient gets headaches, night sweats, and fever. Other symptoms include fatigue, rash, joint pain, and a loss of appetite. Infective Endocarditis can cause permanent damage to your heart and valves, anemia, swollen spleen, and bleeding under your nails.
Serious Illness And Nerve Damage
Choosing a reputable piercer can lower your risk of contracting a serious disease, but it doesn't prevent it altogether. Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS can be contracted through the hole simply by eating or drinking after the piercing is done.
Dentist professionals know that the tongue is a mass of major blood vessels and nerves. Even the most trained piercers and dental professionals can miss and accidentally hit one of these during a procedure. This can numb your tongue or make it permanently paralyzed. Problems with blood clotting and uncontrolled bleeding are also possible. These professionals may not be able to recognize the problem and lack the necessary medications and equipment to deal with these problems.
A Downers Grove dentist and other professionals throughout the country are asking patients to stay away from these kinds of fads. They might not seem to be so menacing, but the negative side effects can be temporary and mild, such as swelling to irreversible and permanent including death. If patients insist on having jewelry put into their mouth this way, they need to make sure they are well educated on the downsides of this fad. Is the fashion statement worth what you might be losing?
Damages To The Teeth And Gums
Many a dentist is spending time repairing the damages caused by metal jewelry. Teeth are easily chipped or cracked from having the metal bang against them. Ohio State University found that 41% of those with lip rings or studs suffered from receding gum lines. This risk rose the longer the individual wore the metal.
The risks and fears don't end once the hole has healed. If the patient doesn't care for the piercing properly, this becomes even more likely. The skin will eventually grow around the jewelry when the area isn't cared for properly. If it goes unnoticed, the skin can completely cover over the metal, causing the body to send antibodies to fight the intruding object bringing on an infection. This problem often continues until the dentist notices it.
Heart Complications
In addition to negatively affecting your oral health, it can lower your general health and may even be fatal. Your mouth is home to many natural and foreign bacteria. When you make a hole in your mouth or lips, this bacterium gains access to your blood stream where it stays
This type of infection sets into your heart cavity and attacks the lining of your heart. The patient gets headaches, night sweats, and fever. Other symptoms include fatigue, rash, joint pain, and a loss of appetite. Infective Endocarditis can cause permanent damage to your heart and valves, anemia, swollen spleen, and bleeding under your nails.
Serious Illness And Nerve Damage
Choosing a reputable piercer can lower your risk of contracting a serious disease, but it doesn't prevent it altogether. Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS can be contracted through the hole simply by eating or drinking after the piercing is done.
Dentist professionals know that the tongue is a mass of major blood vessels and nerves. Even the most trained piercers and dental professionals can miss and accidentally hit one of these during a procedure. This can numb your tongue or make it permanently paralyzed. Problems with blood clotting and uncontrolled bleeding are also possible. These professionals may not be able to recognize the problem and lack the necessary medications and equipment to deal with these problems.
A Downers Grove dentist and other professionals throughout the country are asking patients to stay away from these kinds of fads. They might not seem to be so menacing, but the negative side effects can be temporary and mild, such as swelling to irreversible and permanent including death. If patients insist on having jewelry put into their mouth this way, they need to make sure they are well educated on the downsides of this fad. Is the fashion statement worth what you might be losing?
Christine OKelly
Christine O'Kelly writes for the Downers Grove dentist group, Grove Dental. In addition to being a general and cosmetic dentist in Downers Grove IL, they have a pediatric dentist, orthodontist, periodontist, and endodontist on staff.
View all articles by Christine OKelly