08 Sep Oral Piercings: A Mode of Self Expression/Bad for Oral Health
Yes, a bodily piercing is as much a form of self-expression as a tattoo or even a hair style or choice of clothing style. Self-expression is very important, however some forms of it (Even the most popular forms) can be inherently dangerous to a person. However, an oral piercing (or a tongue splitting, which, for the uninitiated is an actual splitting of the tongue to achieve a desired shape—oftentimes, the tongue is sliced and appears serpent-like—can be dangerous to your health. Here’s why…
One primary reason is that your mouth is chock-full (naturally) with bacteria. It’s amazing to think, but a person’s mouth is a consistently moist environment, and the bacteria that live there are able to thrive. There’s always bacteria in our mouth, and that’s one of the primary reasons not to eat or drink things with excess sugars (bacteria consume the sugar in the mouth and produce acids that can harm the teeth). And bacterial Infections can easily be caused at the site of a piercing or a tongue splitting. If not treated properly, the infection can quickly become life threatening. If you have an oral piercing, and you notice a swelling or an unexpected redness at the site, then you should contact your physician.
Another issue with oral piercings is the damage the piercing can cause to the gums and teeth. If a person plays with the piercing, it could strike or scratch the teeth and gums, causing damage to the surface of the teeth or even to the tooth fillings.
A piercing could also cause interfere with speech. A pierced tongue, cheek, or uvula (the uvula is the “dangly thing” at the back of the throat) can interfere with speech—it can even interfere with chewing or swallowing. It could also potentially cause nerve damage. A nerve injured by a piercing may affect a person’s sense of taste—the damage could potentially be irreversible.
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