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Tongue Piercing and Teeth: Is Your Piercing Ruining Your Smile?

by Youth Dental

Tongue Piercing and Teeth: Is Your Piercing Ruining Your Smile?

Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn

Reading time: 5 minutes

Tongue piercings might seem like a cool accessory, but have you thought about how it can impact your teeth and gums?

Oral piercings, including those on the tongue, lips, and cheeks, come with risks that could hurt your smile in the long run. While they add a unique aesthetic, their effects on dental health can be far-reaching.

In this blog, we will explore these risks in detail and how to protect your oral health if you already have a piercing.

Key Takeaway

Before you decide to get a tongue piercing, know the risks! Tooth chipping, gum recession, and infections are all very common with tongue and oral piercings. To minimize the risks, choose the right jewelry and visit our dentist regularly for check-ups.

How Tongue Piercing’s Affect Oral Health

Piercings can lead to tooth damage, gum recession, oral infections, and other dental health issues over time. 

The constant pressure and contact between tongue jewelry and oral tissues can cause significant wear and tear. Patients with tongue piercings often experience issues like enamel erosion and soft tissue damage, which can worsen without intervention.

Let’s take a look at how these a little further. 

  • Tooth damage and chipping: Metal tongue jewelry comes into contact with teeth, leading to chipping, cracks, and enamel wear over time. Even plastic jewelry, though gentler on teeth, doesn’t eliminate the risk completely. Adjacent teeth are particularly vulnerable to constant contact with piercing jewelry.
  • Gum recession: Piercings can rub against your gums, causing them to recede. Gum recession exposes the roots of your teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and sensitive teeth. The constant friction from oral jewelry can create deep pockets around teeth, where bacteria thrive and cause further oral health complications.
  • Infections: The moist environment in the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. Piercing sites are particularly vulnerable to bacterial infections, which can lead to swelling, redness, and pain. Infected tongue piercings can even escalate to more serious conditions like periodontal disease or blood vessel damage. A swollen tongue caused by infection can interfere with eating, speaking, and even breathing in severe cases.
  • Increased tooth sensitivity: Piercings can make your teeth more sensitive, especially to hot or cold foods and drinks. The constant contact of jewelry with adjacent teeth can lead to ongoing tooth sensitivity.
  • Other complications: Metal jewelry can cause allergic contact dermatitis, leading to irritation and discomfort. Piercings placed near nerves or blood vessels can result in adverse effects, such as numbness or bleeding during the initial procedure. Cheek piercings and lip piercings also carry their own set of risks, including gum damage and scarring.

Tips to Protect Your Smile with Oral Piercings

If you already have a piercing, follow these tips to minimize damage:

  • Maintain a strong oral health routine
    • Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush to protect enamel and reduce sensitivity.
    • Use an antibacterial mouthwash to lower the risk of bacterial infections. Avoid alcohol-based rinses during the healing process, as they can dry out oral tissues and increase irritation.
    • Clean your jewelry regularly with a saline solution to prevent food debris and bacteria buildup.
  • Avoid harmful habits
    • Don’t play with your tongue jewelry or click it against your teeth, as this can cause enamel damage and increase the risk of oral complications.
    • Avoid hard and crunchy foods that can exacerbate the risk of tooth chipping or damage to oral tissues.
    • Always keep your hands clean before touching your piercing to minimize the chance of infection.
  • Choose the right materials
    • Use jewelry made from synthetic materials, surgical steel, titanium, or plastic to reduce the chance of infection, allergic reactions, and enamel damage. These materials are also less likely to harbor bacteria.

What to Know About New Piercings

Can you brush your teeth with a fresh tongue piercing?— yes, but be gentle.

Stick to a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse your mouth with a saline solution to maintain cleanliness without causing irritation. 

Avoid habits like touching your piercing with dirty hands or eating hard foods during the healing period.

Healing typically takes a few weeks, but proper care during this time is important to avoid bacterial infections and ensure a healthy recovery.

When to See a Dentist

It’s important to keep an eye on any changes in your mouth if you have an oral piercing. Schedule a dental visit if you notice:

  • Gum recession or increased sensitivity in specific teeth
  • Signs of deeper pockets forming around teeth or noticeable changes in your sense of taste

See your primary care physician if you experience:

  • Persistent swelling or a swollen tongue that doesn’t improve
  • Signs of infection, such as redness, discharge, or pus at the piercing site

Book an Appointment With Youth Dental Today! 

If you are concerned about how your piercing might affect your oral health, we can help. Book an appointment with one of our experienced dentists in Denver, Aurora, Thornton or Hampden.

Call the location nearest you to schedule an appointment:

📍Denver Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 1400 Grove Street, Denver, CO 80204 | (303) 825-2295

📍Aurora Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 14251 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011 | (303) 343-3133

📍Thornton Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 550 E. Thornton Parkway, Suite 240A, Thornton, CO 80229 | (303) 280-8878

📍Hampden Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 7400 East Hampden Ave. Unit C1, Denver, CO 80231 | (720) 826-3694

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