Many accessories have been used to adorn our bodies for aesthetic, cultural, and artistic purposes which dates back from many centuries. It has taken many forms and different historical practices often associate as means to self-expression, birth right, and a person’s transition to adulthood. The early forms of body modifications are piercings and tattoos.
Body piercings have been around for a very long time and is still gaining popularity especially on teenagers. It signified courage, purification, royalty, and many more. Today, piercings have become very common and is mostly done on the ears, tongue, belly button, and other parts of the body.
The pain, duration of healing, and the type of complications vary and depend onto where the piercing exists and other health factors. Piercings inside and around the mouth trigger several dental and oral consequences that dentists and hygienists would like you to take to consideration. Patients should act responsible because piercings might wreak havoc to the oral health. Here are some of the things to put into consideration or the obligations of people with piercings.
Keeping piercings clean. Cleaning your rings and piercings is considered one of the vital points when you get piercings. Saline solutions are effective cleansing agents that are available over the counter. You can warm the saline solution and swish or dab it in the pierced area for a few seconds twice or thrice every day. Mouthwash can also be used but the non-alcohol based is much preferable for smokers. Just be sure not to over use products. There is such a thing as over cleaning especially for people with new piercings. Cleaning the piercing site is one of the most important step in the healing process so as not to develop biofilm build-up on the tongue.
Piercings and dental hygiene appointment. Dentists and dental hygienist will be of great help in examining dental health status upon having the piercing. You need to regularly go on appointments and decrease the risk of having complications. Only professionals can give proper assessment and diagnosis of infections and other problems that can ensue after being pierced.
Daily Activities to Avoid. Infections can happen in your mouth especially when the piercing site is still healing. Bacteria can be introduced into the mouth by some of your regular habits, activities, and job every day. Patients with new piercings most likely skip some of their usual activities like swimming, applying make-up, and tanning. Harsh chemicals from pools, make-up, and tanning can irritate and cause infections on piercing sites.
Individuals who are contemplating on having their tongue, lips or cheeks pierced should research and weigh out the risks and the gains before having them. People with piercings require a lot of dental care routines to cover to prevent and avoid infections and other diseases from developing. Always talk to your dentists about symptoms and signs of irritation or inflammation if you are experiencing any to have it treated immediately.