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Oral Piercings & Your Oral Health: What Your Hygienist Wants You to Know

Oral piercings (tongue, lip, cheek) can be a form of self-expression, but they also come with specific oral health considerations. While Practice 32 doesn’t perform piercings, our dental hygienists in Colorado Springs often see the effects they can have. Understanding the potential risks and proper care is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth if you have or are considering an oral piercing.

Potential Oral Health Risks Associated with Piercings

While many people have oral piercings without issues, potential complications include:

• Tooth Damage: Chipped or cracked teeth are common from accidentally biting down on jewelry or from jewelry rubbing against teeth over time. This type of damage often requires restorative treatment from a dentist.
• Gum Recession: Jewelry, particularly lip or labret studs, constantly rubbing against the gum tissue can cause it to recede, exposing sensitive tooth roots and potentially leading to bone loss.
• Infection: The mouth harbors millions of bacteria. A piercing creates a pathway for infection, which can cause swelling, pain, and potentially spread.
• Increased Plaque Accumulation: Jewelry provides extra surfaces for bacterial biofilm (plaque) to collect, increasing the risk of bad breath, cavities, and gum disease.
• Nerve Damage/Numbness: Particularly with tongue piercings, there’s a risk of nerve damage during the piercing procedure, potentially causing temporary or permanent numbness.
• Interference with Dental Care: Jewelry may need to be removed for certain dental procedures or X-rays performed at a dental office.

Oral Hygiene Care with Piercings

If you have an oral piercing, meticulous hygiene is essential:

• Clean the Piercing Site: Follow your piercer’s instructions carefully, especially during healing. Use alcohol-free antimicrobial rinses as recommended.
• Clean the Jewelry: Regularly remove and clean the jewelry itself to prevent plaque build-up.
• Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene: Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss daily, paying extra attention to areas around the piercing.
• Check Jewelry Regularly: Ensure balls or ends are secure to prevent accidental swallowing or inhalation. Check for signs of chipping or wear on the jewelry that could damage teeth.
• Regular Hygiene Visits: Professional cleanings at Practice 32 help remove plaque build-up that home care might miss, especially around piercing sites. Our hygienists can monitor for early signs of gum recession or tooth damage related to your piercing.

When to Seek Professional Help

See your dental hygienist or a dentist promptly if you notice:

• Signs of infection (increased swelling, redness, pus, fever).
• Pain, chipping, or cracking of teeth near the jewelry.
• Noticeable gum recession around the piercing site.
• Difficulty speaking or eating due to the jewelry.

Any necessary treatment for damaged teeth or advanced gum issues would be handled by a qualified dental practice.

Making Informed Choices in Colorado Springs

Understanding the potential risks allows you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to care for your oral health if you choose to get an oral piercing. Regular visits to your dental hygienist at Practice 32 are key to monitoring these areas.

Have questions about oral piercings and hygiene? Call Practice 32 at 719-427-4733 to schedule your appointment in Colorado Springs.

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I highly recommend Practice 32. Olivia is very knowledgeable. She has state of the art equipment and takes the time to explain what she is doing, explains how to properly floss and how to take the best care of your teeth. Very different from any other teeth cleaning I’ve ever experienced! Definitely check out Practice 32!


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When I went to Practice 32, I found Olivia to be very professional and friendly. The office was immaculate, beautifully decorated and calming. Olivia spent more time than any other dental hygienist I had been to explaining her process and how to better care for my teeth…


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Not only are my teeth super clean, I learned so much in how to properly clean my teeth. Trust me, I thought I knew what I was doing but Olivia showed me the way!! If you want great care and knowledge, go see Olivia. Wouldn’t go anywhere else!!


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This was the most pleasant and relaxing dental cleaning that I’ve ever had. Olivia was patient and kind, and explained the process and the equipment. I found it both interesting and informative! I appreciate that she was also able to take X-rays, which can be sent to my new dentist. Olivia will be my hygienist from here on out. Thank you!


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Olivia is a wonderful! This is the first time I’ve used the guided biofilm therapy, and my teeth felt so much cleaner than a traditional cleaning. Highly recommend!

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