An increasing number of Midvale adolescents are sporting tongue, cheek, and lip piercings.
What if your teen asked you for permission to get an oral piercing?
The team at The Fort Union Dentist advises parents to give a firm ‘No.’
Here are five reasons why teens should avoid oral piercings:
- Excessive drooling
- Chipped teeth
- Infection
- Hypersensitivity to metal
- Nerve damage
Let’s discuss these dangers in more detail.
Drooling
Lip and tongue piercings let adolescents express their personality and creativity. But they can cause excessive drooling. I doubt your teen is enthusiastic about that prospect. But, interestingly, some are more worried about drooling than nerve damage.
Broken Teeth
Another vital reason to keep piercings away from your mouth, lips, and tongue, is because having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. This can happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.
Does your teen already have a tooth that’s weakened? These cracks can then be repaired before further damage or decay occurs.
Small breaks in a tooth can be filled, or crowned. But often youth with piercings come in with more serious issues. These may require a root canal or tooth extraction.
Infection
The mouth is a haven for bacteria. When tissue is pierced, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Neglecting correct brushing habits can increase the risk. Touching the piercing with dirty hands can also introduce bacteria.
Hypersensitivity to Metal
Metal piercings can bring about a hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. This is problematic for any that like to eat.
Furthermore, there is a risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site. If your teen is aware of sensitivity to certain metals, they can get the piercing in a metal that doesn’t cause problems. But your teenage is still in jeopardy of the other perils discussed here.
Nerve Damage
This is the scariest. Piercings put your son or daughter at risk of irreversible nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t dissuade your teenager, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But for some teens, it has become permanent.
If you or your teen have experienced dental issues as a result of an oral piercing, contact us. Our team is ready to help mend the damage.
Contact The Fort Union Dentist:
801-676-8100
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1275 E. Fort Union Blvd Ste 200
Midvale, Utah
84047
