Piercings, Did You Say Piercings?
Piercings are the biggest trend at the moment, they can be discreet, found in the hollow of the navel, on nipples, or they can be more obvious to the point of being proudly showcased on the ears, the nostrils, or even the eyebrows. Whatever the chosen body part, piercings are seen as being increasingly flaunted by all kinds of people who are looking for more than just a few rings on their earlobes. As attractive as they may be, it is always good to exercise caution when getting one! Be careful, excessive passion for these studs and rings can also have a negative impact on your health.
The dentists Drs. Dagenais, Lachapelle and Le, at the Centre Dentaire & D’implantologie Boucherville, your dental professionals of choice on the South Shore of Montreal, know all too well that oral piercings and not just tongue piercings, can lead to certain complications that are far from insignificant. So, before you decide to undergo this type of procedure and get these jewel-like piercings done, consult our experts, who can patiently advise you so that you can come to a well-informed decision before jumping in head first.
Fancy a Tongue, Cheek or Lip Piercing? Approach with Caution…
In order to better understand the potential impact of such a procedure, which is anything but trivial, let’s put things in perspective. What happens when an oral piercing is performed? The individual who performs it (and here the choice of an experienced professional is absolutely crucial!), punctures the tongue, cheek or lip with a needle, to then insert a metallic decorative component that will remain lodged inside your mouth.
You don’t have to be a genius to recognize that the first danger here is the risk of infection. Even when the best precautionary measures are taken, there is no such thing as zero risk. Local infections, or even worse, HIV, tetanus, hepatitis B or C pose a real danger. So, the first thing to do, if you decide to have an oral piercing done, regardless of the where on your body (including cheeks), is to choose the right professional to do it. He or she should use (real) sterilized material or disposable material.
Please note: If your gums are bleeding for no apparent reason and you have had a lip or tongue piercing, whether recently or not, have it examined by your dentist to determine if the piercing is the cause of the bleeding or not. Something that may seem like a minor discomfort could have serious and lasting consequences down the road. If you have one or more oral piercings, you’ll need to visit your dentist regularly.
Tongue piercings are also becoming increasingly common, especially among young people aged 18 to 25, and they are particularly dangerous. The tongue is coated with an extremely fragile mucous membrane, and perforating it can damage both its nerves and the blood vessels, which can have very unpleasant consequences including a loss of sensation or even agnosia (a loss of taste). Imagine a life without being able to taste your favourite foods!
Moreover, cheek or lip piercings, besides posing the same infectious risks as tongue piercings, tend to damage the teeth and gums of the person wearing them. The reason for this is easy to see—when you speak or eat, the little metal shafts rub against your teeth, damaging their enamel and often leading to dental hypersensitivity. Also, keep in mind that over the long term, lip or cheek piercings also run a high risk of misaligning your teeth.
Unlike tattoos, piercings are not permanent. This is a common misconception, especially concerning oral piercings. We consult a significant number of people who suffer from lasting consequences from these types of piercings. If you are thinking of getting a piercing, or if you already have a piercing, don’t hesitate to consult our specialists at the Centre Dentaire & D’implantologie Boucherville. They will be able to give you a clear picture of your oral health and help you make informed decisions.
