An increasing number of Los Angeles teenagers are sporting tongue, cheek, and lip piercings. Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry knows the dental health dangers your teen will face.

What if your teen asked you for permission to get an oral piercing?

The team at Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry advises moms and dads to give a firm ‘No.’

HERE’S FIVE REASONS WHY TEENS SHOULD AVOID ORAL PIERCINGS:

1. Excessive drooling
2. Chipped teeth
3. Infection
4. Hypersensitivity to metal
5. Nerve damage

Let’s discuss these dangers in more detail.

DROOLING

Lip and tongue piercings let teenagers express their personality and creativity. But they can cause excessive drooling.

BROKEN TEETH

Another  reason to keep piercings away from your mouth, lips, and tongue, is because having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. This can happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping.

Does your teen already have a tooth that’s damaged? Take care of these cracks before the whole tooth is in danger.

Small chips in a teeth can be filled, or crowned. But often teenagers with piercings come in with more serious problems. These may mean a root canal or tooth extraction.

INFECTION

The mouth is a haven for bacteria. When tissue is pierced, bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Neglecting proper brushing habits can increase the risk. Touching the piercing with dirty hands can also introduce bacteria.

HYPERSENSITIVITY TO METAL

Metal piercings can result in a hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. Additionally, there is a risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site.

NERVE DAMAGE

This is the scariest. Piercings put your child at risk of irreversible nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t discourage your teen, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But for some adolescents, it has become permanent.

At Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry in Los Angeles, we know how to keep our patients smiling.

We offer general and cosmetic dentistry and can help you with your perfect smile. If you’re in Beverly Hills, Century City, or Los Angeles area and looking for general dentistry, call us to schedule an appointment today.

Contact Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS – Century City Aesthetic Dentistry:

310-277-5678

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2080 Century Park E Ste 1601
Los Angeles, California
90067