Can a Tongue Piercing Affect Your Oral Health?

Do you have an oral piercing? You can implement the following healthy habits to avoid oral health complications.

A tongue piercing is cool and all, but did you know it can pose adverse effects to your oral health? Below we look at the risks associated with a tongue piercing and how dentists at The Dental Anesthesia Center can help you boost your oral health after a tongue piercing.

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Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly. My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.

Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!

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The staff is always compassionate and explain all the steps of the procedure. This office has been a God send for me because otherwise I would have let my teeth fall into further disrepair. I highly recommend this office!!!!!

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Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence. I adding to this post because of my visit today with the best dental hygienist Delaina and my exam with Dr. Biehl. I have truly never been to such a caring and supportive dental group. Everyone is always conscientious of my needs and knows that I have issues with anxiety. I am always calm when I am sitting in the chair because of their kindness. I am so pleased with the Dental anesthesia center. There needs to be more than five stars. Thank you, everyone.

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I am unusually tense about my appointments. However, from the moment I checked in I relaxed. The staff was welcoming and assuring, and helped me to relax completely. Dr. Hofmann is superb. He is by far the best dentist and dental surgeon I have ever ever experienced.

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Risks Associated with Tongue Piercing

• Pain and Swelling – The procedure of piercing your tongue is painful and can cause swelling. In addition, the tongue is a sensitive organ full of nerves, and the introduction of jewelry interferes with chewing, swallowing, and breathing.

• Chipped and Cracked teeth – After a tongue piercing, you’re likely to develop a habit of bumping your piercing against your teeth when you eat or talk. This can scratch, crack or injure your teeth and gums. It can also make your teeth sensitive and damage fillings.

• Plaque and Tooth Decay – Besides trapping food and debris, having a tongue piercing also accumulates plaque, the leading cause of tooth decay.

• Bacterial Infection – Given its moist nature, your tongue is a host to a variety of bacteria. However, the risk of bacterial infection in your mouth increases when you make an incision and introduce jewelry. Unfortunately, a severe bacterial infection could cause your tongue to swell and may end up blocking the airway.

• Bad Breath – Fresh tongue piercings are hard and painful to clean. This, combined with the constant bacterial presence in the mouth, is likely to give you a stinky breath.

• Permanent Nerve Damage – It’s not uncommon for the tongue to get numb after a tongue piercing. Sadly, this can affect mouth movement and sense of taste.

• Increased Salivary Flow and Speech Difficulties – Oral piercing complications such as excessive drooling and speech difficulties are relatively common. While saliva is essential for oral health, excessive saliva production can change your speech pattern and make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

Other risks associated with tongue piercing include allergic reactions, tearing of the tongue or mouth due to an accidental jewelry rip-out, and transmission of serious infections such as Hepatitis or mouth ulcers.

Ways to Take Care of Your Tongue Piercing and Avoid Problems

You can implement the following healthy habits to avoid oral health complications after a tongue piercing:

• Avoid playing with the jewelry, and keep your piercing site clean.
• Use an alcohol-free mouth rinse during and after the healing period.
• Brush in the morning and before you retire to bed. When brushing, use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Floss daily
• Avoid smoking or vaping as it may complicate your post-piercing healing process.
• Avoid sharing drinks and food to minimize the spread of infectious bacteria.
• Don’t touch your pierced tongue with dirty fingers or hands, as it can expose the area to infection.
• Look for common signs of infection such as pain, swelling, and tenderness.

Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center for Post-Piercing Oral Care

Do you have an oral piercing? Visit the dentists at the Dental Anesthesia Center for the best post-piercing oral care. We are here to help keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Schedule an appointment today.