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Oral piercings are popular among teenagers, and are surprisingly common. Surveys of adolescents and young adults (age 13 – 29) report that 25% to 35% have a body piercing at a site other than the ear lobe. Despite the trendiness of body art, oral piercings can cause a variety of serious consequences that teenagers and parents should understand.  

Oral Piercings can lead to Disease

In addition to an increased risk of suffering oral injuries, teens with oral piercings face increased odds of contracting a disease. Multiple studies have found that oral piercings can lead to gum inflammation or gingivitis, increased plaque buildup, gum recession, cavities and metal allergies. Lip and tongue piercings have particularly strong correlations to gingival recession, according to one study.  

Studies have found that the place in which the piercing was performed is another key factor influencing the contraction of oral diseases. The National Institutes of Health found that unregulated piercing parlors and techniques greatly increase the chances of contracting an oral disease, and the transmission of other diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis and tetanus.  

Oral Piercings Increase Risk of Injury

Oral piercings, particularly lip, tongue, and cheek piercings, greatly increase the risk of damaging nearby teeth. Studies have found permanent tooth damage occurred to 25% of adolescents with lip rings, and nearly 50% of teenagers with tongue piercings suffered permanent tooth damage. In addition to tooth damage, those with oral piercings have a greater risk of suffering nerve damage, oral infection, pain and swelling. The injuries associated with oral piercings are varied and oft occurring, making the small fashion statement hardly worth the risk.  

Make it Hard to Eat

Oral piercings can interfere with how the mouth regularly operates, and make it difficult to chew and swallow. Depending upon the location of the piercing, it can get in the way of food and is at risk of being bitten. Additionally, food can get caught in oral piercings and lead to infection and other disease.  

Those with oral piercings are also more prone to excessive drool. 

Oral Piercings Aren't Worth The Risk

The dangers presented by oral piercings far outweigh the fashionable benefits. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry strongly opposes the practice of oral piercings. Speak with your children about the potential risks involved with oral piercings before they get one. If your child already has an oral piercing, make sure that they keep it clean and disinfected, and that they take it out before taking part in any sports or activities that involve contact, so that they can avoid suffering a serious oral injury.  
  

Fruit and vegetables not only positively impact your overall health, but they also impact your teeth! In fact, certain fruits can even damage your teeth with acidic attacks, or sugar overloads. But, there are some fruits that boost your overall oral health, and taste delicious. By adding these three fruits to your diet, you can improve your oral health.

Apples

Eating apples can help cleanse and clean teeth, and fight bad breath. The fibrous content of apples cleans teeth by acting as a toothbrush and scrubbing away plaque from teeth, and removing other food debris. The acidity in an apple helps kill off bad bacteria that encourage bad breath. Be sure to leave the skin on the apple, since it is full of the mouth-healthy fiber that helps keep teeth and gums clean. 

Kiwi

Kiwi is often mistaken for a citrus fruit, but it is actually considered a berry. Kiwis have fiber content, and are packed with calcium, which is a dental super mineral! Calcium neutralizes damaging acids and helps bolster your enamel’s defense.  

Strawberries

Another fibrous berry, strawberries are great for teeth and gums.  Strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps your body produce collagen – a protein vital to maintaining your gums’ strength. A half cup of strawberries – between 4 and 6 berries – will give you about 70% of your daily requirement of vitamin C.  

Remember: Limit Citrus & Rinse with Water

Food and drinks high in citric acid erode tooth enamel in a process called demineralization. In bad cases of demineralization, acid will work its way to the soft layer beneath the enamel called the dentin. These advanced cases lead to tooth sensitivity and pain. If you consume anything with high citric acid, rinse with water for 30 seconds afterwards to clean away some of the lingering acid. 

Visit our Office

If you’re concerned about your child’s diet affecting their oral health, or worried that they may have cavities, then visit our office. We will perform a comprehensive oral exam, and determine the best treatment plan for their specific case. We can also offer advice on dietary choices that improve oral health, and how you can help keep your kids away from cavities. 

Different types of mouthwash have different benefits like preventing tooth decay, reducing plaque, freshening breath, and reducing and preventing gingivitis. But, it’s tough to know which types of mouthwash are safe for your children to use. Never fear, parents! We’ve outlined some of the things you should look for when finding the right mouthwash for you and your child.  

Start With the Results

First, you have to narrow down what you want to accomplish by using mouthwash. Are you looking to clear up bad breath? Do you want to reduce tooth decay or alleviate mouth sores? If you know what you want to get from a mouthwash, then you’ll be better prepared to choose the right one for you and your child. 

Cosmetic Mouthwash Vs. Therapeutic Mouthwash

There are generally two types of mouthwashes available: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwash gives your mouth a clean, pleasant taste and reduces bad breath. However, cosmetic mouthwash treats the symptoms of bad breath, not the causes of the problem. 

Therapeutic mouthwash helps treat tooth decay, prevent gingivitis and reduces plaque buildup. Therapeutic mouthwash may not freshen your breath as well as cosmetic mouthwash, but it will help fight the causes of bad breath. 

Does Fluoride Help?

Mouthwash with fluoride is designed to reduce tooth decay on tooth enamel, and makes teeth more resistant to cavities. But, fluoridated mouthwash doesn’t remove plaque, and it’s not a substitute for brushing and flossing. It works by protecting your teeth from harmful acids that eat away at enamel. 

Find Kid Friendly Mouthwash

There are a number of mouthwashes that are designed specifically for children. They are usually alcohol free, and feature popular children’s cartoons and come in flavors that kids enjoy like bubblegum, wild berry and grape. Mouthwash for kids is usually therapeutic, and helps prevent cavities. It usually contains no alcohol, and is easier on their mouth than cosmetic mouthwash. As a rule of thumb, mouthwash should not be used by children under the age of six. However, in some instances a pediatric dentist may prescribe mouthwash for a child beneath that age, but that usually only occurs in special cases. 

Look for the ADA Seal of Approval

The American Dental Association – known as the ADA – tests oral products for effectiveness and safety. To attain the ADA seal of approval, a product must prove to be safe and effective. That’s why we suggest that you look for products with the ADA seal of approval. This will help you find a mouthwash that has been rigorously tested and approved by a legitimate association that advocates for oral health.  

Visit Our Office

Mouthwash is a great tool to help you and your child get clean teeth and gums. If you would like more information about the types of mouthwash that are safe and effective for your kids, then schedule a visit to our office! We will talk with you and your child about the best mouthwash for their overall mouth health.  

But, it’s important to remember: mouthwash does not replace brushing and flossing. The best way to get your kids a healthy smile is by brushing and flossing twice per day for 2 minutes at a time.