Oral Piercings and Your Overall Dental Health

The other day a patient stepped into my office with what she called a "labret piercing." It was a piercing in her chin or lower lip. She had been complaining of pain on her lower teeth and instantly I knew that the piercing was causing it. You see, the back end of the piercing had been banging up against the front of her lower teeth, causing the enamel on her teeth to ware off! Now, oral piercings are definitely all the rage for an overall aesthetic look, but looking hip today, can cause you to look not so great tomorrow.

Researchers at the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, School of Dental Medicine at Tel Aviv University found that 20% of people with oral piercings (a tongue or lip piercing) are at high risk for tooth fractures and gum disease! The next time you consider getting a piercing, think twice.

My patient ended up taking out her piercing, and I'd say it was just in time.

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