A tongue piercing or lip ring might seem like a great way to express your individuality but these piercings can present health concerns that might surprise you. For instance, constantly tapping tongue and lip piercings against your teeth could weaken them. Weakened teeth are prone to decay and infections that might require root canal treatment to save them from extraction.
Before getting an oral piercing, it’s a good idea to weigh the risks and speak to your dentist to ensure that you make an informed decision.
Oral Piercings Increase the Risks of Permanent Dental Damage
A lip ring or tongue piercing poses a number of threats to your oral health such as increased risks for infections and tooth wear. When the metal parts of piercings make contact with teeth, they can wear them down and permanently damage tooth enamel.
Teeth with weakened enamel are vulnerable to breaking and decay. This is because the softer structures underneath tooth enamel (dentin) are exposed to cavity-causing bacteria and strong acid. Since teeth are unprotected, the root canal inside them can become inflamed and infected.
Why Root Canal Therapy is Necessary
An infected tooth must be treated with root canal therapy to prevent the loss of a tooth. The root canal is an area inside a tooth that contains cellular material and nerve endings. When this area of a tooth is infected and untreated, the infection will kill a tooth. Additionally, having an infected root canal is very painful.
Root canal treatment is an endodontic procedure that removes the internal infection threatening a tooth. This procedure is not overly invasive or uncomfortable. Most patients report that receiving endodontic care is similar in sensation to receiving a filling. After root canal treatment, a person can enjoy comfortable oral function.
Many dentists refer patients to endodontists for root canal treatment. An endodontist has extensive experience and education to treat infected teeth.
If your dentist has recommended that you receive root canal therapy, call Access Endodontics to schedule an appointment.
