Chicago Family Dentist

Much attention has been given to the dangers of tongue piercings to the brain, the windpipe, and other portions of the body. Many feel that the dangers to the teeth are merely cosmetic, but this is just not true.

Tongue piercings involving metal in the mouth can rub up against the gums and cause them to retract from the tooth. While this is not seen by people, it can be an extremely painful situation as it can cause the tooth’s roots or nerves to become exposed to everything in the mouth. This situation can only be corrected through surgery which also is not an enjoyable experience.

On a more cosmetic front, tongue piercings can chip and crack teeth. While it may not seem like a big deal, if the teeth are chipped and cracked enough, they can require a significant amount of restorative dentistry to fix the problem. Crowns and veneers are not completely permanent and are often expensive.

Chipped teeth may be cosmetic but if the tooth that is severely chipped is a molar or another important tooth, there can be problems chewing food. Issues chewing food can lead to nutritional issues. The chipped teeth can make a person look years older as well, which is rarely something that people intentionally want to happen.

Contact a Chicago Cosmetic Dentist

If you have had a tongue piercing do significant damage to your teeth, contact the Chicago cosmetic dentists of Advanced Family Dental Associates at 773-767-1554.