Ask the Dentist: Do oral piercings put your oral health at risk?

Numerous individuals opt for oral piercings as a means of self-expression, and the popularity of these has risen in recent years. That being said, not many individuals seek advice from a dentist before proceeding with them.

Oral piercings are any piercings located within or attached to the mouth, such as those on the tongue, lips, and cheeks. Oral piercings can affect your dental health, with potential complications after the piercing. They include:

• Infection around the piercing: an infected tongue piercing poses a potentially life-threatening risk as it may cause tongue swelling, obstructing the airway.
• Tooth crack, chip, or tooth decay: rubbing your tongue piercing against your teeth can injure your gums and lead to cracked teeth. It may also damage fillings.
• Cavities: the piercing may accumulate plaque as it traps food particles and debris.
• Nerve damage: you may sometimes experience numbness due to nerve impairment. This damage may be permanent, impacting your sense of taste and mouth mobility.
• Prolonged bleeding: a punctured blood vessel during the piercing process may also lead to significant blood loss.
• Allergic reaction: the metal used in the piercing may trigger an allergic reaction at the site of the piercing.

Post-piercing care becomes crucial to maintain oral health. Prioritise diligent oral hygiene, paying close attention to both your jewellery and the piercing site. Explore these aftercare tips:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes each with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss once a day
• Avoid using your teeth or tongue to 'play' with your jewellery
• Use an alcohol-free mouth rinse during and after the healing process

If you notice any signs of a cracked tooth or tooth decay after getting an oral piercing, it's crucial to seek professional help from a dental specialist or dentist.

Dr Tan Kian Meng is a Dental Specialist in Prosthodontics with Specialist Dental Group®. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the National University of Singapore and Diplomate with the American Board of Prosthodontics. He was formerly a Consultant at Singapore’s Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Fellow of Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Oncologic Dentistry Fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr Tan has special interest in prosthetic and implant restorative dentistry.