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Body piercing may prove dangerous
By Maribel Godinez
Body modification, or piercing ones body, is an art which has been increasing in popularity. Reasons for getting a piercing vary with each individual; some want them because they look good, others get them for cultural reasons. What many don’t take the time to realize is that with every piercing there are always risks.
Oral piercings are particularly dangerous. There are many risks one takes when getting one done. For example, if one was getting a tongue piercing, they run the risk of having trouble getting the needle through the muscle. If the piercer is not very experienced, they could hit a nerve in the tongue muscle, which in turn may lead to paralysis of the tongue.
The jewelry which is used for the piercing has many affects on the mouth. Particularly, one’s teeth may be majorly affected by the jewelry. If one has a lip piercing, the back of the jewelry is constantly hitting one’s teeth, as well as one’s gums. This can lead to your gums receding, recessed gums leave your tooth root more vulnerable to decay and periodontal disease. For a tongue piercing, the barbell can act as if it were a wrecking ball to one’s teeth. The ball is constantly hitting the back of the teeth, making them become weaker. Over time the teeth can become chipped or fractured.
As with any piercing, one also runs the risk of infection of the piercing. One’s mouth contains millions of germs, which may lead to infection. The risk of infection is slightly lower, due to our mouth having bacteria killers in our saliva. Touching the jewelry or playing with it increases the risk of infection, which is why one is advised not to due so during the healing process. Smoking and drinking also increase the risk of infection, alcohol contains yeast in it, which can get in the piercing hole and create bacteria.
The best way to ensure one keeps injection risks at a minimum is to make sure one gets pierced at a proper place. Looking around at the shops in one’s area is advisable. Taking the time to check out how each place varies is good. One should make sure that the professional they go to makes them feel comfortable, and takes the time to explain the procedure to the piercee. Make sure they use all sterilized materials and that the needle is brand new. Going to a clean place which takes the proper steps is very important to one’s piercing and health.
While it is very rare that it occurs with oral piercings, rejection is another risk that one takes by getting an oral piercing. Rejection occurs when one’s body does not want to accept the new jewelry, thus rejecting it and pushing it out of the body. Rejection is very serious and at times may lead to permanent scarring.