Should You Let Your Teen Get An Oral Piercing?
An increasing number of Lafayette teenagers are sporting tongue, cheek, and lip piercings.
What if your teen asked you for permission to get an oral piercing?
The team at Boulder County Smiles advises moms and dads to give a firm ‘No.’
Here are five reasons why teens should avoid oral piercings:
- Excessive drooling
- Chipped teeth
- Infection
- Hypersensitivity to metal
- Nerve damage
Let’s discuss these dangers in more detail.
Drooling
Lip and tongue piercings let teenagers express their personality and creativity. But they can cause frequent drooling. I doubt your teen is enthusiastic about that prospect. But, interestingly, some are more worried about drooling than nerve damage.
Broken Teeth
Another essential reason to keep piercings away from your mouth, lips, and tongue, is because having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. This can happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.
Does your teen already have a tooth that’s broken? These cracks can then be repaired before further damage or decay occurs.
Small chips in a teeth can be filled, or crowned. But often youth with piercings come in with more serious problems. These may call for a root canal or tooth extraction.
Infection
The mouth is a haven for bacteria. When tissue is pierced, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Neglecting proper brushing habits can increase the risk. Touching the piercing with dirty hands can also introduce bacteria.
Hypersensitivity to Metal
Metal piercings can lead to a hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. This is problematic for any that like to eat.
In addition, there is a risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site. If your teen is aware of their sensitivity to certain metals, they can get the piercing in a metal that doesn’t cause problems. But your teen is still in danger of the other hazards discussed here.
Nerve Damage
This is the scariest. Piercings put your son or daughter at risk of irreversible nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t dissuade them, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But for some teens, it has become permanent.
If you have experienced any of these issues due to an oral piercing, contact our office. We will do our best to help you through!
Contact Boulder County Smiles:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026