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Many trends today come and go, but unfortunately some of these can lead to oral health complications. Oral piercings and dental grills are popular among youth today and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia may seem to be a craze for a short period of time, but can lead to long-term, expensive dental and health problems.
Oral piercings have been a popular trend with teens and young adults for several years. Oral piercings can include the tongue, lip, cheeks, frenum (fold of skin on the underside of the tongue), uvula (tissue suspended from the center of the soft palate), and labret (the area between the lower lip and the chin).
Complications with oral piercings not only happen during the procedure but can also remain long after the piercing. The constant contact between oral jewelry and the gums and teeth can cause permanent damage including:
- receding gums
- chipped or fractured teeth
- nerve damage
- periodontitis (gum disease) resulting in loose teeth or tooth loss. Periodontal disease has also been linked to increased risk for other conditions like heart disease, pre-term delivery, diabetes, and respiratory disease
- HIV, hepatitis, tetanus, and other communicable diseases transmitted during the procedure if precautions are not followed
- problems with eating
- loss of taste
- problems with speaking
- increased salivation
- scar tissue
- oral jewelry may obscure other dental problems during dental x-rays
Types of jewelry worn for oral piercing include a barbell (common for tongue piercings) and rings. Only oral jewelry made of surgical grade stainless steel, solid 14-K gold, niobium, or titanium should be used. Using these materials will decrease the possibility of an allergic reaction or infection. If a tongue barbell is worn, changing to a plastic ball can reduce risks of chipping and fracturing teeth.
Dental grills are another trend sweeping across youth and young adults today. A “grill” in hip hop culture, refers to a cosmetic dental appliance featuring silver, gold, or platinum caps with diamond inlays jeweled to be worn over the teeth. Grills can be purchased from as little as $40 to thousands of dollars. While there are no studies showing that grills are harmful to the mouth, there are also no studies showing that their long-term wear is safe. Should one choose to wear this type of “mouth jewelry,” there are a few things to consider: grills should be removed before eating and cleaned daily to remove plaque bacteria and food debris. Limiting the amount of time a grill is worn can also reduce the amount of bacteria building up in the mouth – bacteria are the cause of both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.
According to the American Dental Association, Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that harms your overall health and is particularly destructive to teeth. It involves secret repeated binge eating followed by purging – self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives, fasting, diuretics or diet pills. The digestive system contains strong acids that break down food. When vomiting is used to purge food from the body, these acids attack tooth enamel. Repeated vomiting can severely erode tooth enamel and over time, teeth will become weak, worn and translucent. Your mouth, throat and salivary glands may become swollen and tender and bad breath may result.
Anorexia Nervosa is another eating disorder that is characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, the desire to be thinner, and an inability to maintain a minimally normal weight for height and age. It’s self-induced starvation.
Each of these disorders robs the body of adequate minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients needed for good health causing potential injury to teeth, muscles, and major organs.
The frequent vomiting and nutritional deficiencies often associated with eating disorders can severely affect oral health. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, studies find up to 89 percent of bulimic patients have signs of tooth erosion, due to the effects of powerful stomach acid. Over time, this loss of tooth enamel can be considerable, and the teeth change in color, shape and length. They can also become brittle, translucent and sensitive to temperature. Lips may become reddened, dry and cracked, and the patient may also experience chronic dry mouth. Left untreated this can also contribute to increased risk for dental decay. These conditions singularly or compounded can create need for comprehensive dental care to restore the teeth to a condition that ensures they will remain in the mouth for the life of the patient.
Acid reflux, a condition that can cause the liquid content of the stomach to regurgitate (back up or reflux) into the esophagus and mouth, can cause similar tooth erosion if left untreated. If you are experiencing this condition, you should see your physician for consultation and possible treatment. In summary there are many things that can impact the overall health of the mouth. It has been well documented for some time that a person’s commitment to good oral hygiene, diet, and a healthy lifestyle will help to maintain an impeccable smile. Oral health is an important factor in total body health. Visiting the dental office for treatment with your dentist and dental hygienist on a routine basis will ensure that any areas of concern will be found early and treated to provide you the best opportunity to have a healthy smile for a lifetime.
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Source by Dr. Jeff Moos