Avoiding Oral Piercings & Mouth Jewelry
Our mission at Brighter Smiles Dental is to promote overall well being with treatment that provides both a beautiful smile and great oral health. This includes maintaining proper oral hygiene habits, scheduling routine exams, and providing each patient with an individualized treatment plan that promotes a healthy bite and optimal function.
We remain committed to providing our patients with a care plan that promotes overall health and well being. This includes advising patients to refrain from getting oral piercings and other mouth jewelry. Generally speaking, these tend to interfere with speech, chewing, and swallowing. According to the ADA (American Dental Association) some unpleasant side effects related to mouth jewelry include:
- Infection & Swelling: The mouth is a natural breeding ground for bacteria. When piercing an area of the mouth, you create an open wound that becomes susceptible to this bacteria, allowing it to enter the blood stream. Also, new piercings are highly susceptible to swelling. In the case of tongue piercings this could lead to significant swelling that could block airway passages.
- Asphyxiation: Mouth jewelry and piercings could become loose and present a serious choking hazard, especially when eating or sleeping.
- Damage of Teeth, Gums & Fillings: It is not uncommon for those with piercings to “play” with the piercing. This could lead to gum injuries as well as chipped teeth and damaged fillings.
- Metal Sensitivity: Your body may be hypersensitive to certain metals resulting in an allergic reaction at the piercing site.
- Nerve Damage & Blood Loss: Your mouth is filled with nerve endings that allow us to taste and have control over our mouths. After a piercing temporary loss of sensation and numbness is normal. However, in rare cases, this sensation could be permanent. In addition, there runs a risk of damaging blood vessels, which could result in severe blood loss.
- Excessive Drooling: Tongue piercing can result in increased saliva production.
- Dental Appointment Difficulties: Mouth jewelry can block x-rays and also make it more difficult to provide treatment.
For those who already have mouth jewelry, oral hygiene habits become even more important. This includes: remaining vigilant for signs of infection, keeping the piercing site clean after every meal, avoid “playing” or clicking the jewelry against teeth and gums, and periodically checking that jewelry is tightly secure.
As always, Dr. Irwin and her supportive staff are here to answer any questions you may have; including helping you find out what your dental insurance policy covers. To schedule an appointment, please call: 973-667-1567.
Attending Privileges & Summer Hours
As a reminder, Dr. Irwin now has attending privileges with Hacksensack University Medical Center Mountainside. This includes the opportunity to instruct and supervise dental residents on a part-time basis beginning in July 2015. This will occur outside of the practice’s normal business hours, enabling patients to continue scheduling appointments at their convenience.
For the duration of the summer, the practice will be observing our current office hours with the exception of an early closing on Wednesdays at 2:00pm. For a full list of office hours and availability please click here.
