|
|
Oral Piercing |
|
related:
decay /
gum disease
/ gum surgery /
cleanings /
infection control |
 |
Throughout history body piercing has occurred as an extension of cultural and spiritual beliefs. Egyptian Pharaohs pierced their navels as a rite of passage. Mayan priests pierced their tongues as part of spiritual ritual. And now, we pierce because... Your tongue is in constant motion; it's packed with muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and taste buds. In fact, you’ve probably already discovered that it's one of the most sensitive parts of your body. What you probably don’t know is that it's the most dirty part of your body. You can have the whitest, cleanest teeth on the planet and your mouth will still have more bacteria in it than anywhere else in your body (yes, anywhere!). |
|
|
|
Oral piercing is frequently done by unlicensed practitioners who are often self-trained. When you visit the studio, make sure infection control standards are being followed. Check to see if they're using disposable gloves, sterile or disposable instruments and sterilized studs, hoops and barbells. Ideally, surgical grade stainless steel or niobium oral jewelry should be used. |
| |
 If you get into the habit of biting on your jewelry, you might consider:
-
wearing a night guard
-
switching to a shorter barbell
|
|
| |
|
Procedure. A needle, the same size and shape as the jewelry being inserted, is placed inside a plastic sheath and used to puncture the tongue. The needle is then removed, leaving the sheath until a temporary piece of jewelry can be placed. The temporary is probably going to be a little bit longer than what you had in mind - remember, your tongue is going to swell quite a bit. Within 3-6 weeks, a shorter barbell may be used.
When you pierce a large muscle, such as the tongue, it tends to bleed quite a bit. Once you've had the piercing done, you’re tongue is also going to swell. You'll probably have a fair amount of difficulty speaking, eating, and swallowing for a week or so. You'll be restricted to a soft diet. You might also notice a sudden drooling problem. Increased salivary production will usually resolve after a few days. Keep in mind that the tongue is in constant motion; this can result in delayed healing
|
|
| Average Healing Times:
Tongue piercing - 4 to 6 weeks
Lip piercing - 1 to 2 months |
|
|
|
The Findings
It only takes one good bite on your barbell to fracture a tooth. If the tooth is badly fractured, restoring it could run you over a thousands
of rupees - and that's for only one tooth.
Lot of Associations and Foundations have all taken strong positions against oral piercing.
American Dental Association's opinion: "The piercing of oral structures presents risks of infection because of the vast amounts of bacteria in the mouth and may cause airway obstruction because of swelling."
The National Institutes of Health has stated that tongue and lip piercing is a possible vehicle for blood borne hepatitis transmission. Think twice about who you let do the piercing.
A new study
of Periodontology found that wearing tongue jewelry (barbells) could increase your chance of tooth chipping and gum recession. The study found gum recession in 35% of its participants with pierced tongues for four years or more. It also identified gum recession in 50% of participants wearing long-stemmed barbells for two years or more. Apparently, long-stem barbells due to their increased length have more contact with gums, thus are more likely to cause damage than their shorter counterparts. Some 47% of participants wearing either type of barbell for four years or more had at least on chipped tooth. The short-stemmed barbells were responsible for more tooth chipping due to their greater ease of positioning between the teeth.
Risks
- Tongue swelling
- Difficulties in chewing and swallowing
- Difficulty speaking
- Abrasion and possible fracture of teeth
- Gum disease
- Blood poisoning
- Keloid scars
- Nerve damage
- Numbness at the site of the piercing
- Increase in salivary flow resulting in prolonged or permanent drooling
- Alterations in taste
- Infection - due to digital manipulation (handling) of the jewelry and the large amounts of bacteria in the mouth.
- Localized tissue overgrowth due to constant irritation of soft tissue
- Metal hypersensitivity, allergy development
- Jewelry aspiration if the post is swallowed it can potentially obstruct your airway by becoming lodged in the lung.
- Transmission of diseases such as Hepatitis, Herpes Simplex Virus, Tetanus, and HIV.
- Prolonged bleeding if blood vessels are punctured
|
|
|
|
“If you have made up your mind to do it
... then get it done right!”
- Find a friend who's had their tongue pierced and ask them to recommend a studio.
- Visit the studio. Ask to look at their photo portfolio. Does the studio seem sterile?
- Ask if they use hospital grade autoclaves for sterilization.
- Take a look at where the piercing is being done; it shouldn't be done in a tattoo room, or an administrative office.
- The staff should all be vaccinated against hep-B.
- The staff should be friendly and willing to answer all of your questions.
- All the needles and jewelry should be kept in sterilized packages.
- Health certificates should be clearly visible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Piercing Home Care Tips |
|
|
During the 4 to 6 week healing period, it’s suggested that you:
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods.
- Avoid smoking.
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Brush after every meal. Use a mouthwash (ie. Listerine).
- Use warm salt water rinses frequently.
- Refrain from talking too much for a few days after the piercing.
- Soft foods and vitamin supplements should promote a more rapid recovery.
- Abstain from using your new toy for at least 2 weeks (you know what we mean). You run the risk of getting an infection.
|
|
Make sure you talk to your dentist and check out all the risks before you take the plunge. ...just don’t let that tongue get in the way of your smile!
|
|
|
|
Note: It is important to note that
before beginning any course of treatment you should see your
dentist. Please note that without the benefit of a full dental
examination, including a review of medical history, dental x-rays,
and diagnostic aids, no attempt can be made to provide specific
diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. However, we will be
happy to update our site to include topics you feel deserve
mention. contact us |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Home |About
Us |
Services |
Patient Education |
Smile Evaluator | Oral Health Plans |
Contact Us
©
2002-2003 dentalvenue.com |
|
