Americans live in the land of the free, so most of us are not too keen on being told what to do, how to act, or what to wear. You may find it annoying if you are a fan of facial piercings, but a dentist isn’t likely to encourage you to express yourself in this way. In fact, piercings have been known to cause severe dental damage. Lincolnshire cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg can teach you more about this topic with a fun Friday quiz.
Questions
Q1. True or false – Wearing oral piercings for a short period of time is harmless.
Q2. True or false – The main dental concern with oral piercings is severe gum disease.
Q3. True or false – Gum recession can occur quickly when someone wears a lip or tongue ring.
Answers
A1. FALSE – In fact, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association, oral jewelry makes near constant contact with your gum tissues. This causes gum recession, fractures, chips, and even nerve damage.
A2. TRUE – In Maryland, one clinical trial followed five young adults. Each of the volunteers sported either a lip or tongue piercing. Three-fifths of these study participants exhibited signs of severe gum disease (periodontitis). Severe gum tissue infections are the leading cause of adult tooth loss. Periodontitis leads to a separation between gums and bone tissue, leaving periodontal pockets which create a prime breeding ground for germs.
A3. TRUE – In a Maryland study, researchers noted that gum disease and recession can occur quickly when piercings are worn. One of the participants was only 19 and already had significant recession. For this reason, if you do choose to wear lip and tongue piercings, make sure you are extra diligent with your oral hygiene and biannual dental checkups.
Visit Libertyville Cosmetic Dentist
If you are in need of a cosmetic dental consultation as a result of damage to your teeth, your Libertyville cosmetic dentist can help. To schedule an appointment, call our 60048 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
