Gone are the days, when piercing was just restricted to the ear or the nose. Oral piercing is the latest trend on the block. These days, people are getting their lips, cheeks, tongue and various other parts of their mouth pierced. However, oral piercing comes with its own precautions and contraindications. Thus, it is important that you know all about it before you give it a final nod.
The risks
If you are considering getting oral piercing done, it is important that you understand the risks associated with the same. Here are some of them.
* Pain and swelling - Every area of the mouth such as lips, tongue or even cheeks is extremely soft. So, any kind of piercing can result in unbearable pain and swelling.
* Infection - Many people deal with various oral infections as a result of oral piercing. Piercing creates a wound inside the mouth, which attracts bacteria. Besides, the jewelry also brings in bacteria, which further aggravates the infection.
* Transmission of diseases - Several studies suggest that oral piercing can be responsible for transmitting diseases like hepatitis B and C.
* Prolonged bleeding - If a nerve lies on the area being pierced, it could result in endless bleeding. If the nerves are damaged, it could cause numbness in the particular area or even lead to movement problems. Some times, prolonged bleeding can even make breathing difficult.
* Gum diseases - The jewelry used for oral piercing often comes in contact with the gum tissue. This can lead to gum diseases.
* Damaging of teeth- Several studies state that oral piercing can cause damage of teeth. This is because the mouth jewelry when in touch with the teeth can lead to cracking of the teeth.
* Difficulty in eating and speaking - Your oral functions may be impaired as a result of mouth jewelry. You may experience difficulty in chewing or swallowing the food. The taste of food may also be altered.
What you can do?
Considering the numerous health risks associated with oral piecing, it will only be wise that you skip the process all together. However, if you still wish to get your mouth pierced then it is important that you take a few precautions.
Firstly, you need to ensure that you are heading to the right piercing studio. Half of the risks can be minimized if the piercing is done in the right manner. Check for all the health certificates of the studio. Also, make sure that all the equipment used for piercing is well sterilized.
After care of the mouth jewelry can also help eliminate a great deal of health risks. Make sure that you use a mouthwash after every meal so that there are no food particles sticking to the mouth. Eat softer foods and avoid any kind of spicy food.
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