Lips and Tongue Piercing (Oral Piercing)

Oral piercing is a small hole pierce in the tongue, lip or cheek in order to wear jewelry on. It is believe to be fashion but it can be dangerous if care is not taken. Dental hygienist must know the various types of piercing, sign of infection and complications.  There are about 13 ways of piercing lips. The most common lip piercing method is the snakebite, vertical labret piercing, and Monroe piercing.  Lip stud or ring can be put on the piercing.

A plastic labret stud is better when using stud. It has a soft flat backing that is less irritating to the gum.

Surgical steel ring which is about 1inch in length is given to reduce tongue swelling. Surgical steel ring has high durability and strength. It is approved form of body implant and it has low tendency to cause allergic reaction. Other materials use includes gold (14 karat), acrylic and titanium. In case of reaction to metal, acrylic can be used. Some people can change to acrylic after 6 weeks of healing in order to prevent teeth chipping. A single tongue piercing may be done vertically in the middle of the tongue. Multiple tongue pierce can be done horizontally through the tongue such that the jewelries are seen beside the tongue.

Precaution and safety

• For people that have decided to go for oral piercing, make sure you get vaccinated from tetanus and hepatitis B. Make sure your vaccines are up to date.
• Also, while looking for beauty shop to do it, choose a clean one. Ensure the piercer has license and is specially trainer for oral piercing.
• Also ensure the piercer use antiseptic soap to wash his or her hand before commencing on it. He or she must wear disposable glove and use sterilized or disposable instruments. Use new needle that you are sure it is from a sealed pack. In order to prevent you from contacting other diseases like HIV.
• Also, the piercer must be free from Hepatitis B and is vaccinated against it.
• You can use analgesic in case of pain.
• Eat soft food within the first to second day of tongue piercing.
• Avoid swimming after piercing. Standing swimming pool contains bacterial and harsh chemicals that can cause irritation to the piercing area. In case swimming cannot be avoided, use waterproof patch that keeps the piercing site clean.  Wash after swimming and dry with air or clean paper towel.
• For smokers, reduce smoking but do not stop it because dry mouth and coughing which is a side effect of smoking cessation can affect piercing healing. You can stop smoking after piercing healing process is completed.
• Avoid kissing or other oral activity until healing is completed.
• Avoid alcohol to prevent irritation to would. Do not use mouthwash that contains alcohol to prevent tongue discoloration and burning tongue sensation.
• Do not wear your jewelry during any sport activity.

How to Care for Lips and Tongue Piercing

There is different cleansing method for different piercing. Generally, use warm saline solution to dab piercing site using pad. Sea salt soaks can also be used. In 250ml of water, put half teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt and boil. Allow the water to cool into a warm temperature, and then swish for about 20- 30 seconds 2- 3 times daily. Too much salt can result in white or coats on the tongue.

Avoid touching the piercing as much as possible unless while cleaning the area. Ensure you wash your hand before touching the piercing.

Proper teeth brushing is important to remove food particles as they may attach to jewelry and cause oral infection. Avoid common mistakes in tooth brushing. It is important to remove your jewelry before brushing. Brush your teeth in circular or up-down motion with the brush in angle 45 degree. Spend at least 2minutes in brushing. Oral piercing does not stop you from flossing your teeth. Floss once daily. Brush your tongue and teeth gently.

Clean the jewelry before wearing it back. You can use your toothbrush to wash it to remove any form of particles that might have attached to it. Wash the jewelry with well washed clean hand. Rinse the jewelry in an antibacterial solution.

In case you cannot remove the jewelry maybe due to pain or sensitivity, use your finger to clean the front teeth using toothpaste.

Ensure you put the jewelry properly as loose jewelry can lose anytime and get into the throat. This will result in emergency condition like choking.

For lip piercing, frequently change pillow cover to ensure clean piercing surrounding. Make up on piercing can cause irritation, thus avoid applying make-up on piercing site. 

Avoid the use of tanning lotion because it can cause irritation to the skin and even burn it.

Visit your dental hygienist for better cleaning and maintenance at least once in 4 months. Also in case of signs of infection or reaction such as bleeding, inflammation, thickened tissue, pain and fever.

Risk and Complications of Tongue and Lips Piercing

Tongue piercing and lip piercing have different side effects and risk. Your mouth and teeth may turn to be reservoir for bacteria resulting in inflammation and swelling.  In people suffering from heart disease, the bacteria may complicate matter and leads to heart valve damage.

 Bleeding and blood loss can result from tongue piercing. The tongue is well vascularized making tongue piercing dangerous.

In case of jewelry break off in the mouth, you can mistakenly chew or swallow it resulting in medical issue. It can even damage the tooth root canal in case it penetrates deep into the tooth while chewing.

Lip and tongue piercing can also may it hard to speak, swallow or eat. It can make someone drool. It can also affect the gum and fillings.

 In case there is need for X-ray to be carried out, it might cause some difficulty for the dentist in taking the X-ray. Gum disease, hepatitis B or C, severe bleeding and other health problem may result from oral piercing.

It can also result in hypersensitivity in some people that are allergic to the jewelry material.

People with suppressed immune system may find it hard to get the piercing healed. Example of such includes diabetes, hemophilia, and heart diseases. 

National Electronic Injury Surveillance of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission present about 24, 459 injuries associated with oral piercing between year 2002 and 2008 and below are the percentages: Lips-48%, Tongue - 42%, Infections- 42%, Soft tissue puncture wound- 29%, Teeth- 10%

Let us know your experience with oral piercing. What do you think about oral piercing? Use the button below to share with your friends.