Raising a teenager requires a very delicate balance between encouraging self-discovery and discouraging potentially harmful behaviors. Few things can illustrate this more clearly than when they come to you asking for something like an oral piercing!
On the one hand, piercings can be a fun and unique way to express themselves. On the other hand, it’s also important to make sure your teen understands the risks and responsibilities involved. Here’s what they should know about how an oral piercing can affect their dental health.
What Counts as an Oral Piercing?
If your teen mentions they’re interested in an oral piercing, they’re probably talking about getting their lip, tongue, inner cheek, or gums pierced. These unique placements often create an edgy, spirited look, so it’s not much of a surprise that they’ve become particularly popular with young adults. However, because they involve piercing part of the mouth, they’re also associated with very specific dental health risks.
Dental Health Risks Associated with Oral Piercings
To be clear, all types of piercings carry a certain risk of infection – that’s why it’s important to make sure you visit a reputable and hygienic piercer. Oral piercings in particular, though, can also:
- Damage teeth by rubbing up against them.
- Become snagged on objects and tear sensitive oral tissue.
- Cause gum recession (when placed near the gumline).
- Become embedded to the point where they have to be surgically removed.
- Obstruct the airway.
Maybe your teen has done their research and is already committed to taking very good care of their oral piercing – or maybe they haven’t yet explored the pros and cons. Either way, it’s a good idea to check in with them and make sure they understand what they’re getting into!
Taking Care of an Oral Piercing
The mouth is kind of like the gateway to the rest of the body – you don’t want a lot of bacteria to build up in the oral cavity, otherwise, it could spread to other parts of the body and cause sickness or infection. So if your teen still wants an oral piercing after learning about the risks, they have to be ready to follow aftercare instructions and protect their piercing site! They should:
- Brush their teeth twice daily.
- Floss once per day.
- Avoid substances that can irritate healing tissue, like spicy and salty foods and bubble gum.
- Wash their hands before handling their oral jewelry.
- Let their piercing heal completely before jumping into a pool or hot tub.
It is possible for your teen to safely and successfully get an oral piercing – as long as they’re prepared to commit to a lifetime of a little extra care. They should also be aware of the damage oral jewelry can do to their smile. Once a tooth becomes chipped or cracked, it can’t repair itself, so it’s important to make sure an oral piercing is truly something your teen wants!
About the Practice
Our three pediatric dentists at Healthy Kids Pediatric Dentistry are passionate about helping kids and teens take good care of their smiles. If your young adult is considering an oral piercing, our team would be happy to talk with them more in depth about the potential risks and what that could mean for their pearly whites. To schedule an appointment for your teen, contact our office at 301-871-8880.