Our oral health is important and finding the right information to ensure a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles begins with a visit at Heritage Dental Care in Milton. Piercing your tongue, lip, or cheek may seem like a form of self-expression or fashion statement, however, most dentists would agree that there are some serious associated oral health risks with mouth jewelry. The most important thing is to be educated before you or anyone in your family takes the plunge. Here are some things to think about:

Infections: An oral piercing creates a wound that is left vulnerable to harmful bacterium. As such, mouth jewelry creates a high risk of infection due to this wound and the vast amount of bacteria located in your mouth. Additional bacteria can then be introduced into your mouth through the inappropriate handling of jewelry before your piercing.

Chipped teeth: A piercing on the lip or tongue can leave your teeth vulnerable to chipping, as the stud at the end of the jewelry piece can easily (and constantly) knock against your teeth.

Periodontal disease: Mouth jewelry can cause damage to your gum tissue, often causing your gums to recede and leaving your teeth exposed. As such, this increases your chances of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

However, if you still feel strongly about moving forward with an oral piercing, here are some steps you can take to ensure you do it well and avoid any future oral issues:

• Ensure you get your piercing done at a reputable establishment. They should have an infection control policy available for review, and should handle the piercing in a clean, healthy manner. You want someone who is experienced, using infection control practices, such as an autoclave sterilizer, or new needles and gloves. Make sure they provide you with a detailed list of after-care instructions.
• Just as you have a set oral hygiene routine, you need to disinfect and clean your mouth jewelry regularly and with care.
• If your piercing is close to your teeth, opt for a plastic stud. In fact, plastic jewelry in general is less damaging than metal. Nickel may even cause allergic reactions.
• Avoid piercing your tongue or the floor of your mouth, these areas increase the risk of infection.
• Should you experience excessive bleeding, swelling or pain after your piercing, contact your dentist immediately.
• Last but not least, continue to visit your dentist regularly. Just like any other oral issue, your dentist can spot any potential damage that your piercing may be causing and help rectify the matter to avoid any major issues down the road.

Heritage Dental Care is a family and cosmetic dental clinic conveniently located in Milton. Lead by Dr. Daisy Park, their professional team strives to provide excellent dental care and it is their goal to help patients achieve optimal oral health. For more information, visit their website or give their office a call to schedule an appointment 905-693-0123.