You’ve probably noticed that those with a pierced tongue or lip tend to play with the piercing a lot. This constant clicking and clanking of metal against teeth increase the likelihood of tooth damage – such as chipped teeth, broken teeth, and worn enamel – which can expose teeth to bacteria and decay.
Correspondingly, do lip piercings ruin your gums?
Tongue and lip piercings that come into constant contact with gums can cause gum recession. This means that you are exposing more of the tooth’s root, making it easier for bacteria to build up and severely damage your tooth and gums. If not properly cared for, damage to the gums may result in tooth loss.
Twisting or touching the jewelry can increase swelling and irritation. It can also introduce new bacteria into the piercing. For the most part, consider the jewelry to be completely off-limits. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing.
Additionally, can a lip piercing cause nerve damage?
There’s also the risk of nerve damage. Our tongues are home to a lot of nerves, and if the piercing needle hits one at the wrong angle, you may experience temporary or sometimes permanent numbness. This nerve damage can also affect your sense of taste and how you speak.
Can piercings ruin your teeth?
In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage. Oral piercing could also lead to more serious infections, like hepatitis or endocarditis.
What are the risks of lip piercing?
Mouth piercings also may:
- Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow.
- Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings.
- Make you drool.
- Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth.
- Lead to serious health problems, like gum disease, uncontrolled bleeding, a long-term infection, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
What is the piercing in the middle of your bottom lip called?
vertical labret piercing
How do you prevent gum recession lip piercings?
Be sure to remove food and debris around the piercing site after every meal. Good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing daily are essential to reduce your risks. Avoid playing with your piercing against your teeth or gums because that may cause gum recession or tooth fracture.
Can receding gums grow back?
Many things can cause receding gums, including poor dental hygiene, brushing too hard, and aging. Your gum tissue doesn’t regenerate the way other types of tissue does (like the epithelial tissue of your skin, for example). As a result, receding gums don’t grow back.
How do I know if my lip piercing is rejecting?
Symptoms of piercing rejection
- more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
- the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
- the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
- the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
- the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.
How long after a lip piercing can you kiss?
Ideally, you should wait until you are healed to do anything involving fluids, even with a monogamous partner. You have an open wound in your mouth, so anything in your partner’s saliva or body fluids can more easily be passed to you, and your partner can also be exposed to your blood and more.
Can I use Listerine after lip piercing?
If you choose to use mouthwash instead of salt water, stay away from alcohol-based products like Listerine® and similar store brands. These are far too harsh, and repeated use can actually slow down healing. Instead, use a mild, alcohol-free mouth rinse.
