Every generation exhibits its own fair share of popular and sometimes even weird fashion trends. It seems the most raging trend these days is body piercings, out of which tongue and lip piercings are more popular.
While swelling and infection are anticipated aftereffects of piercings, the foreign object in the mouth can also cause a host of other problems.
Healing
The time taken to heal after a piercing varies from individual to individual and depends on the area pierced. The tongue and lip are more likely to get infected than the other drier areas. Piercings on the lip take about 6-8 weeks to heal, with swelling more likely to occur 2-3 days after the piercing and may last for about a week to 10days.
The tongue may take around 4 weeks to heal completely after being pierced. They may swell a lot but healing depends on the kind of jewellery used. Initially people may be advised to be on a soft diet for the first couple of weeks.
Chipped teeth
Teeth that come into contact with the jewelery can chip or crack. The greatest risk of fracturing a tooth will always be in the first 2 months.
Difficulties in daily oral functions
Piercings may affect day to day life especially those involving the tongue. There may be difficulties in chewing and swallowing food and also speech impediments. The is because the presence of the jewelry in the mouth increases the production of saliva. This may also lead to temporary or permanent drooling problems. Even the taste sensation is altered.
Infections
The vast amount of bacteria present in the oral cavity, the wound created due to piercing plus the additional bacteria introduced from handling the jewelry all add the risk of infection. One of the signs of infection is swelling in the tongue, which is common after puncture. If the swelling is rather severe then it might obstruct breathing, which in rare cases may require the insertion of a breathing tube.
Other potentially rare fatal infections include Ludwig’s angina, which is a severe bacterial infection.
Transmission of diseases
Contracting blood borne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B & C and herpes simplex is likely to happen if the instruments and needles used are improperly sterilized.
Endocarditis
Another problem may be the risk of endocarditis in people with underlying or undiagnosed heart problems, because of the wound created by the piercing; bacteria could enter the bloodstream and lead to endocarditis- inflammation of the heart or its valves.
Nerve damage
Loss of sensation at the site of the piercing or movement problems can occur if nerves have been damaged. In case of punctured blood vessels, prolonged bleeding occurs.
Gum disease
This is a common occurrence since the jewelry constantly rubs against the gum tissues for an extended period of time. The result is gum recession with increased sensitivity to hot and cold. Risk for progressive gum problems. Higher risk with long stem jewelry (barbells).
Allergic reactions to metal
Allergic contact dermatitis, a hypersensitivity reaction to the metal in the jewelry can occur in susceptible people.
Jewelry aspiration
With time, the jewelry may become loose in the mouth and become a choking hazard or if swallowed can result in injury to the digestive tract or lungs.
Other problems include:
- Difficult dental examinations and the taking of x-rays due to the presence of jewelry
- Pulpal sensitivity maybe due to galvanic currents (because of the presence of stainless steel ornaments and other intraoral metals).
- The jewelry may catch on a tooth and tear the piercing hole.
- Food may accumulate in the piercings and the jewelry leading to tartar buildup and bad oral hygiene.
- Excess tissue formation around the piercing / keloid formation.
Although all the above problems suggest that it would be better to avoid getting a piercing, the decision to pierce is yours, so we suggest you take all precautionary measures and do so.