What your child should know about oral piercings
Whether it is a trend or self-expression, oral piercings are becoming more and more prominent. Sometimes, your child feels that he just can’t say what he is feeling unless there is something metal pierced through his tongue or lip. Many parents cower at the thought, but this simply isn’t enough to discourage the practice. And since this is something that will affect your child’s life, he simply needs to face the facts.
There is no incident wherein an oral piercing has not been detrimental to oral health. There is always a negative consequence for this choice and some of these consequences include:
Damage
The constant clanking of metal against the teeth can cause damage to a tooth itself and the gums. The mouth does not react well to foreign objects, no matter how sanitary they allegedly are.
Gum Recession
The gums are expert at pulling away from a source of irritation, such as metal, and this can result in periodontitis; which is when the gums pull away from the teeth and the bone, exposing the root and resulting in the loosening of teeth or the loss of teeth. And the Tooth Fairy doesn’t want those ones.
Infections
Because the mouth is naturally a breeding ground for bacteria, poking a hole through any part of it is ill-advised. An infection can quickly take hold, causing pain and swelling. It is possible for the tongue to swell enough to block the airway.
Drooling
Yes, it is true. If for no other reason, tongue piercing should be avoided because it promotes saliva production. This increase could lead to social annihilation!
When your kids want to get an oral piercing, be sure to let them know that there are permanent adverse effects that come along with it.