Dentists Commonly Caution Against Oral Piercings

When it comes to fashion trends, piercings qualify as a form of self-expression that doesn’t necessarily require a life-long commitment. After all, piercings can be removed, right? Oral piercings – in the tongue or lip – might appear to have a temporary option, but in this case, being trendy has a permanent cost: tooth damage, and even tooth loss. Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas caution all of their patients to think twice when considering oral piercings.

Oral Jewelry Damages Oral Health

A study that was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that constant contact between oral jewelry and gums can damage the gumline, and lead to the following unpleasant results:

• Chipped teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Nerve damage
• Receding gums

University of Maryland Dental School associate professor – Dr. John K. Brooks – led the research. Dr. Brooks says, “wearing oral piercing ornaments, even over relatively short periods, may result in significant deformities to gingival tissue (gums) that might not respond satisfactorily to surgery and, in fact, may lead to tooth loss.”

Details of the Study

The study followed five young adults with oral piercings. Among them, three patients showed signs of severe periodontitis, a condition that can lead to tooth loss, wherein the gums and bone separate and form pockets that can become infected. A 19-year-old woman in the study showed significant gum recession in only five months. When gum tissue recedes, the roots of teeth are exposed, and tooth decay becomes a matter of time.

Dental Care from your Park Ridge Dentists

If you are adamant about keeping your piercings, it is all the more reason to visit your dentist for regular checkups. Should you sustain damage to your teeth due to oral jewelry, seek the expertise of your Park Ridge implant dentists today. You can schedule an appointment by calling Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919. Located in the 60068 area, we proudly serve patients from Park Ridge and the surrounding Chicago communities.