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Posted on 7/25/2015 by Raymond Liu |
 Oral piercings are becoming more and more common today. These piercings take place in the tongue, cheeks and lips, each of which are detrimental to your oral health. We understand that this trend is not a fad - people, especially teens, have been doing it for years and it is not decreasing in popularity. What we want patients to know is the danger that these piercings can cause to your teeth. They are one of the easiest ways to cause chipped teeth, which can be unsightly, dangerous, and uncomfortable.How Teeth ChipIt makes sense when you think about where the oral piercings are located. For example, if a person's tongue is pierced, the stud constantly hits the lower teeth. Your enamel was not meant for this type of pressure. Over time, the enamel will eventually chip away due to the weakened surface that was caused by the tiny fractures in the tooth. Once the tooth is chipped, it will need some type of restorative dentistry to fix it back up. Many times a filling is sufficient, but other times more invasive procedures, such as a dental crown, need to be conducted to fix the tooth.Problems with Chipped TeethAt first, a chipped tooth might not seem like a big deal. If the chip is not large and not really noticeable, do you really need to worry about it? This answer depends on where the chip is located and if it causes pain in the mouth. Some people do not realize their tooth is chipped until they eat something hot or cold and feel extreme pain. Other people notice a chipped tooth right away because it hurts rather badly. This occurs when the chip goes all the way down to the dentin of the tooth, which is the sensitive part that the enamel is supposed to protect.In addition to the pain, many people experience embarrassment over the chipped tooth. If it is a front tooth, it can cause your self-esteem to fall. Many people are embarrassed to smile or talk because of the chip. Even if they are not embarrassed in front of people that they know, when it comes to meeting new people or going on job interviews, they can become suddenly self-conscious as a result of the damaged tooth. The Treatment Every situation is different and will depend on the severity of the chip. Some people are able to have a filling and the chip is gone, while others will need the tooth filed down and a crown placed on top in order to strengthen the area enough for chewing to be possible. If the tooth is a front tooth, dental bonding may be used as it is a tooth colored resin that makes the tooth stronger and able to withstand the pressure of chewing. If you have a tongue piercing, we highly recommend that you rethink your decision as it could be very detrimental to the health of your mouth. Not only are you subjected to chipped teeth, but you could also suffer from a variety of other issues, including an infection, which could become a very serious problem. Body piercings, while trendy, are not safe anywhere in your mouth. Even if you do not have a tongue piercing, any type of piercing that is within your mouth is dangerous and not worth the risk. If you are having trouble convincing your teen about the dangers, please contact us at (425) 771-2100, so that we can discuss the dangers and help them make the right decision. |
 Phone425-771-2100 HoursMonday: 8:30am - 6:00pm Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm Wednesday: 7:30am - 5:00pm Thursday: 7:30am - 5:00pm Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
