Welcome to the office of Dr. Mark Andrews. If you’re looking to enhance or completely transform your smile, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Andrews is committed to providing each patient with the highest level of dentistry and customer service.
Throughout his career, Dr. Andrews has made it his mission to provide the highest level of care and service to his patients. Because he is a perfectionist, Dr. Andrews always displays unfailing attention to detail while performing techniques that are supported by the best clinical research.
Dr. Andrews and his staff are committed to producing long-lasting, beautiful, natural-looking results.
Enjoy a dental experience unlike any other by visiting our office today.
A sizable percentage of people decide to get a tongue piercing, particularly those who are college-aged. While the fad might be popular, it also comes with some dangers. Read on to find out whether the risks of a tongue piercing outweigh the benefits so you can make an informed decision.
Bacterial Infections
The mouth is filled with bacteria, and when you get your tongue pierced, some of that bacteria goes into the wound that’s created. The result could be a nasty bacterial infection. Most of the time, these infections can be treated with antibiotics, but occasionally they have potentially fatal repercussions. If you have a suppressed immune system, diabetes, or a heart problem, the infection could spread throughout the body. Another issue is that if the infection creates swelling, it could cut off airflow to your lungs.
Tooth Injuries
The metal bar that you will wear in your tongue piercing takes some practice to get used to. While you’re learning how to speak, eat, and swallow with your piercing in place, it’s easy to damage one of your teeth. Even once you are used to it, damage is possible; consider how often you accidentally bite down on your tongue. If you bite down on the jewelry, it could cause you to break or chip a tooth or dislodge a filling.
Minimizing the Risk
If you still want to get a tongue piercing, talk to your doctor or dentist first about ways to minimize the risk of infection and tooth damage. Also, follow your aftercare instructions to the letter; this might include removing certain foods from your diet and swishing with an antibacterial mouthwash. Also, at the first sign of infection, remove the barbell and seek care from a dentist.
Please call our office to talk about the risks of getting a tongue piercing. If you have one and it’s giving you trouble, call to schedule an appointment.
