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Hoop, ring, stud, or barbell shaped mouth jewelry can lead to infection and interfere with speech, chewing or swallowing.
Common symptoms after oral piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an increased flow of saliva, and injuries to the gum tissue. If a blood vessel was in the path of the needle during the piercing, severe and difficult-to-control bleeding can result. For some, chipped or cracked teeth, blood poisoning or even blood clots can occur. For many, the swelling of the tongue is a common side effect. And in extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can actually close
off the airway and prevent breathing.
Unfortunately, many people with oral piercings don't realize that these alarming side effects can occur.
So what's the best advice when it comes to mouth jewelry and young people? Skip the mouth jewelry and let your healthy smile make your fashion statement.
How can oral piercing be bad for your health?
Because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, infection is a common complication of oral piercing.
Pain and swelling are other side effects of piercing. Your tongue—a popular piercing site in the mouth—could swell large enough to close off your airway. Piercing also can cause uncontrollable bleeding or nerve damage.
The jewelry itself also presents some hazards. You can choke on any studs, barbells, or hoops that come loose in your mouth, and contact with the jewelry can chip or crack your teeth.
Because of its potential for numerous problems, the American Dental Association opposes the practice of intraoral/perioral piercing and tongue splitting.
(Courtesy of the American Dental Association)
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Let Your Healthy Smile Make a Fashion Statement