Oral piercings is a piercing done in any part of oral cavity- tongue, lips and cheeks. In recent years, oral piercings have come to form self-expression. As in the case of ear piercing different variety of jewellery is available, in oral piercing also there is wide range of jewellery of different metals, different styles & different patterns .Oral jewellery is available in several styles, including studs, barbells and rings. In oral piercing more health risk is associated in comparison to the ears. Before getting any part of your mouth pierced, you should seek advice from your dentist.
What are the different risks associated with oral piercing?
As long as your oral cavity stays infection free and your oral piercings do not interfere with normal function, they can stay in your mouth for life. Just be sure to see your dentist at the first sign of pain or problems, in addition to your regular check-ups. Because of the risks, even after the initial injury has healed, such as damage to teeth or jewellery that becomes loose and is ingested., the safest thing is to avoid oral piercings altogether.
Tongue piercing and potential oral complications.: An article from: Journal of Dental Hygiene
What are the different risks associated with oral piercing?
![]() |
| Complication of oral piercing |
- Infection - our mouth contains millions of bacteria, which are the natural habitat of our mouth that can lead to infection after an oral piercing. Handling the jewellery once it is placed in the mouth increases your chances of catching an infection.
- Prolonged bleeding - If a blood vessel is punctured by the needle during the piercing, the result can be difficult to control bleeding and significant blood loss.
- Pain and swelling - pain and swelling are common symptoms of oral piercing. In extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can close the airway and restrict breathing.
- Chipped or cracked teeth – Touch of the mouth jewellery with teeth can fracture teeth. The teeth with the fillings, such as crowns or caps, may also be damaged if the jewellery strikes them.
- Damage to the gums -Can not only metal jewellery injure soft gum tissue can also lead to recession of gums. In addition to looking unattractive, recessed gums leave your tooth root more vulnerable to decay ‘tooth sensitivity & periodontal disease.
- Interference with normal oral function - Jewellery in the mouth can cause an excessive flow of saliva, interfere with your ability to pronounce words correctly and cause problems with mastication and swallowing.
- Blood-borne diseases/transmission of disease - oral piercing has been identified by the National Institutes of Health as a possible factor in transmission of hepatitis B, C, D and G.
- Endocarditis - oral piercing carries a risk of endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart valves or tissues. The wound created during piercing provides an opportunity for oral bacteria to pass in the bloodstream, where they can move to the heart.
- Nerve damage - Numbness or loss of sensation at the site of the piercing or movement problems (for pierced tongues) can occur if nerves have been damaged.
- Allergic reaction to metal - A hypersensitivity reaction called allergic contact dermatitis to the metal in the jewellery can occur in susceptible people.
- Jewellery aspiration -jewellery that becomes loose in the mouth can become a choking hazard and, if swallowed, can result in injury to the digestive track or lungs.
Tongue piercing and potential oral complications.: An article from: Journal of Dental Hygiene
![]() |
| Be careful-Oral piercing can not only lead to oral infection, pain, swelling, it can also be cause of Your DEATH!!!!!! If u still want to go for oral piercing then check:-
|






