Most oral piercings will result in swelling, redness, tenderness, bleeding and scabbing. Cleaning the area can be more difficult and/or painful, which may cause a decrease in oral health care which could result in infection. Chipped or damaged teeth can happen as a result of poorly placed piercings, or ones that migrate to a new site. In extreme cases, the damage can be so extensive that the tooth has to be extracted and replaced.
Other oral piercing risks include increased chance of trauma, such as yanking or tearing, in the cases of an accident or injury. Overall, oral piercing creates additional risk to your oral health. However, if you choose to get an oral piercing, here are some tips for taking care of it:
- Get a new, soft bristle toothbrush and brush twice a day to reduce bacteria in your mouth.
- Stop the use of any tobacco products if you use them as they can irritate swollen tissues.
- Avoid foods and drinks that can irritate your piercing, including spicy or salty foods, gum and alcohol (including mouthwash).
- Wash your hands before and after touching, cleaning or replacing oral jewelry to reduce the chance of infection.
- Use a saline soak to help your piercing heal, but don’t over do it. Twice a day is sufficient.
- Avoid swimming pools or hot tubs until all external piercings are healed so bacteria doesn’t enter your blood stream.
- Use anti-inflammatory over-the-counter remedies to help with both swelling and pain.
