Health Leader, Oral Piercings

Oral Piercings

So You Want to Pierce Your Tongue?

Oral piercing can cause pain, swelling, infection, drooling, taste loss, scarring, chipped teeth, and tooth loss
Most dentists discourage it because of these risks
To avoid infections such as HIV or hepatitis, ask the person performing the piercing about aftercare, cleanliness and anything that may concern you
Is a fresh needle used for every piercing? Some may reuse needles to keep down the cost of the piercing
Make sure they completely sterilize all needles and instruments in an autoclave, which uses extreme heat to sanitize instruments
If they are not prepared to answer your questions, go somewhere else
Also, make sure that they use the right kind of metal, such as surgical-grade stainless steel. Some people have allergic reactions to certain metals, which can lead to further complications

Chipped teeth

Fractured teeth are a common problem for people with oral piercings
People chip teeth on tongue piercings while eating, sleeping, talking and simply chewing on the jewelry
The fracture can be confined to the enamel of your tooth or may go deep into your tooth, which may require a root canal or extraction

Possible infections

It is not unusual for the tongue to swell after being punctured, but in some cases the tongue becomes infected and swells so much that it can cut off your breathing
In rare cases, doctors may pass a breathing tube through a patient's nose until such an infection passes
Your mouth has high levels of bacteria. When you puncture the oral cavity, these bacteria may find a way into your bloodstream
Bacteria can also reach your heart and cause a variety of health problems

How do I maintain my piercing?

Once your tongue has been pierced, it will take 3-4 weeks to heal
Barring complications, you will be able to remove the jewelry for short periods of time without the hole closing
You may want to remove the jewelry to protect your teeth every time you eat or sleep
Some parlors sell plugs you can place in the hole, which should allow you to remove the jewelry for as long as necessary
The piercer will place a larger, starter "barbell" in your tongue to give it enough room to heal when your tongue swells
If you keep the piercing, get a smaller barbell after the swelling goes down, which will be less likely to get in the way of your teeth and more difficult for you to chew on

Keep it clean

Use an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal and brush the jewelry the same as you would your teeth
After the tongue has healed, take the piercing out every night and brush it as you would your teeth to remove any unseen plaque
Consider removing the piercing before eating, sleeping or strenuous activity

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Health Tip:

Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.