Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryWhat are the risks of oral piercings to teeth and gums?How can you reduce harm, and when should you see a dentist?FAQRead nextTongue and lip piercings: risks to teeth and gums and how to reduce them
Quick summary of this article+
Tongue, lip and oral piercings can chip and crack teeth, wear enamel, cause gum recession at the contact point, collect plaque and damage veneers and fillings; after piercing there is a risk of swelling and infection. To reduce harm, avoid tapping the jewelry on your teeth, choose small pieces, check the threads and have regular checkups. Removing the piercing eliminates these risks.
A tongue, lip, frenulum or cheek piercing is a personal choice, but it affects the mouth in ways worth knowing. The most common oral risks are chipped or cracked teeth from contact with the jewelry, gum recession where the piercing rubs, infection after the piercing, tongue swelling and plaque buildup around the piece. Many of these problems develop slowly and painlessly.
In clinical practice, it is common to see young patients with small cracks in the front teeth or premolars with no obvious cause, and discover that tapping the piercing ball against the teeth is responsible. Recession on the inner side of the lower front teeth from tongue piercings, or on the outer side from lip piercings, is also frequent.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), who sees patients in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, explains the risks, aftercare, warning signs and how to reduce harm for those who keep their jewelry. The content is educational and does not replace guidance from the piercer or a physician.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the general dentistry page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
What are the risks of oral piercings to teeth and gums?
The main risks are enamel fractures and cracks, tooth wear, gum recession at the contact point, plaque buildup and bad breath around the jewelry, and damage to fillings, veneers and crowns. They depend on location, size and material of the jewelry and on habits such as biting or playing with it.
Hard jewelry hitting the teeth repeatedly while talking, chewing or sleeping can crack enamel, especially in front teeth and premolars; small cracks may progress, cause sensitivity and even reach the nerve. Constant rubbing makes gums recede, exposing roots and, in advanced cases, leading to bone loss.
Right after piercing, risks include pain, significant tongue swelling, bleeding and infection; the tongue is highly vascular, so the procedure must be done with sterile equipment by a qualified professional. Other effects include temporary speech changes, increased saliva and the risk of swallowing or inhaling parts if the ball loosens.
How can you reduce harm, and when should you see a dentist?
Avoid playing with the jewelry or tapping it on your teeth, choose smaller pieces of suitable material, with softer ends when possible, check the threads daily, remove it during sports and have regular dental checkups. Removing the piercing is the safest way to eliminate fracture and recession risks. Include the jewelry in your oral hygiene and tell your dentist you wear it.
Seek care for fever, swelling that increases after the first days, pus, severe pain, spreading redness, difficulty swallowing or breathing, bleeding that does not stop, swallowed or stuck jewelry, or a chipped, cracked or sensitive tooth or receding gum. Breathing difficulty requires an emergency room.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano assesses cracked teeth, restorations, sensitivity and gum recession, including in people with oral piercings, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Does a tongue piercing damage teeth?
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It can. Repeated contact of the jewelry with the teeth while talking, chewing or playing with it can chip and crack enamel, especially on front teeth and premolars, and damage veneers and fillings. Friction can also cause gum recession behind the lower front teeth.
Can an oral piercing cause gum recession?
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Yes. Constant rubbing of the jewelry makes the gum recede at the contact point, exposing the root. With tongue piercings this usually happens behind the lower front teeth; with lip piercings, in front of them. Sensitivity and, in advanced cases, bone loss may follow.
How long does the tongue stay swollen after piercing?
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Swelling is usually greatest in the first three to five days and decreases over the following weeks. Cold, soft foods help. Swelling that increases after the first days, fever, pus or difficulty swallowing or breathing are not expected and need immediate assessment.
Can I have a piercing with veneers or braces?
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You can, but with higher risk. Jewelry can chip veneers and fillings and catch on brackets or wires. People with implants or dentures should also be careful. Tell your dentist so contact points can be checked.
What should I do if I swallowed the piercing ball?
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If there is no coughing, shortness of breath or pain, a small piece usually passes through the digestive system, but a medical check is prudent. If there is persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain, it may have been inhaled; go to an emergency room immediately.
Can a tooth cracked by a piercing be treated?
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Yes. Small chips can be repaired with composite; larger cracks may need a bigger restoration or a crown and, if they reach the nerve, a root canal. Gum recession can be controlled and sometimes treated surgically. The earlier the assessment, the simpler the treatment.
Where can I have my teeth checked in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. The assessment identifies cracks, wear and gum recession and guides treatment and prevention.
