ORAL PIERCINGS – WHY NOT?

More and more people, including teenagers, have oral piercings involving the tongue, lips or cheeks. While such body art may seem innocent enough, it can be quite dangerous. The dental literature is replete with documented cases of oral piercings causing chipped or cracked teeth, infection, bleeding problems or other problems. The mouth is a relatively dirty environment containing millions of bacteria just looking for a place to infect. Your tongue is loaded with blood vessels, any of which can be damaged during the piercing leading to life-threatening bleeding. Your tongue could swell and interfere with your ability to breath. Nerves can be damaged during the piercing leading to life long numbness in that area. So follow our advice, as well as that of the American Dental Association, skip the mouth jewelry. However, if you are going to get oral piercings at least remove the jewelry during sporting events to reduce the incidence of trauma.

 

TOBACCO IS NOT COOL.

Tobacco in any form can damage your health and the health of those in contact with you. 90% of tobacco users become addicted to the use of tobacco. Nicotine, the addictive agent in tobacco, is one of the most additive agents known. Cigarette smoking also affects nutrition. Smokers tend to have a lower intake of numerous essential nutrients such as Vitamin C and A. Some nutrients affected by smoking have been associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer, a disease at which the smoker is of high risk of developing. Tobacco use has also been considered a gateway to the subsequent introduction and use of other drugs or alcohol. Smokers are more likely to drink than non-smokers and smokers are 10-30% more likely to use illicit drugs than non-smokers.

Smokers can develop oral cancer. The early signs of oral cancer generally do not include pain so oral cancers may be detected later than other forms of cancer. If not caught early, oral cancers can require extensive surgery that may leave the person disfigured and can kill. If you or someone you know uses tobacco in any form watch for the following:

White or red leathery areas on the inside of the cheeks, lips or under the tongue. Look very closely in the area where the cigarette or snuff is held in the mouth.

Sores that just don’t heal.
Difficulty on chewing or swallowing.
Sore throat of longer than normal duration.
Pain, tenderness or numbness in the mouth or lips.
A change in the way the teeth fit together.
Gum recession, swelling or bleeding.

 

 

 

 

 

Sew a Lost Tooth Pillow

 

 

Print and Color "First Lost Tooth" Certificate

 

 

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"Another Lost Tooth" Certificate