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Possible health risks associated with oral piercings

Lip rings, tongue piercings, some call it a form of body art or self-expression.

But oral piercings have their health risks.

Samuel Beckett got his tongue piercing 15 years ago as a birthday present. Long before oral piercings were considered cool.

At first he had a surgical steel ball put decided to switch to acrylic, after he cracked a tooth and needed a root canal.

It's one of the most common complications dentist Travis Shannon sees.

Other risks include receding gums, damage to the salivary glands, nerve damage, infection, and plaque build-up.

"You may not get a lot of indication in the mouth something is wrong until it's really to a major point," said Dr. Shannon.

Delta Dental of Virginia is encouraging people to talk with their dentist before they get an oral piercing or if they already have one to go in for regular check-ups.

"The one that creates the most problems and has the highest risk and the most complications is the piercing of the tongue. If you're giving that any thought, you definitely want to talk to your dentist," said Dr. George Koumaras, Dental Director for Delta Dental of Virginia.

A dentist can check for any problems and show you how to properly care for the piercing.

"Every now and then I take it out and put it in peroxide," said Beckett.

He also brushes it with his tooth brush.

All important steps. But Dr. Shannon also recommends cleaning it in a bleach-water solution to kill bacteria.

"You have the potential for infection there especially following placement when you still have an open wound. You have a straight path to the blood stream that way," said Dr. Shannon with Mills and Shannon Dentistry.

Beckett has no plans of getting rid of his piercing. He says after all these year it's kind of a part of him now.