Oral Piercing and Your Oral Health

While many young people are interested in the newest craze, oral piercing, our Beverly Hills dentist wants you to be aware of the risks associated with this procedure. It is fine to fit in with fashion—but not at the expense of your health!
Oral piercing can lead to significant health consequences. The moist environment of the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to serious infections of the tongue or lips. Further, many piercings can interfere with speech or swallowing. In all, it seems a high price to pay for fashion!

Oral infections can lead to gum disease, requiring periodontal treatments. These treatments can be invasive and expensive, but are necessary to save your remaining teeth. Tooth loss is a real possibility with advanced gum disease.

If you have lost teeth due to oral infections, dental implants may be necessary to correct the problem. These require dental surgery to attach the implants to the jawbone, and are considered a relatively major oral procedure.

Restorative dentistry treatments are often necessary when gum disease and infections of the mouth have caused tooth damage or loss. The results of an oral piercing can be far-reaching and can happen long after the piercing itself.

If you do have oral piercings, a regular dental exam is a necessity. Be sure to see your dentist if you notice any undue swelling or pain around the piercing site, or if your gums become puffy and bleed easily.

Our cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills reminds you that piercing is a responsibility and should not be done unless you are sure you are prepared to accept the health risks associated with it.

Source: Dentist in Beverly Hills

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