From the first time that you visit the orthodontist to find out about getting braces, if you have oral piercings you should expect some cautionary statements and concerns. It is not that oral piercings are a terrible thing, but the combination of braces on your teeth and oral piercings could be a problem. There are several reasons removing your oral piercings before you get braces may be the best idea. Here are a few that you should consider and talk to your orthodontist about from the start.

You Could Cause Damage to Your Braces

When you have braces on your teeth, wearing them will come along with strict guidelines about what you should eat and how you should make sure they are not damaged. This is not only because broken wires or dislodged braces on the teeth are time-consuming to repair, but also because it can make your treatment more costly and lengthy. The wrong move of your lip, tongue, or cheek, and you could have a metal stud or ring stuck on your braces, which is sure to cause damage.

You Could Cause Injury to Your Piercing Site

You may think that you are pretty tough and can handle pain, but when a lip ring or tongue piercing gets caught between your teeth and braces, it can be excruciating. This is because the jewelry can often get caught before you realize it and a sudden movement will tug sharply at your piercing. It is not at all uncommon to inadvertently rip a piercing out of place because it gets caught on your braces.

Infection In Your Mouth Can Be an Even Bigger Issue

Your mouth is home to tons of bacteria, but bad bacteria will love this warm, moist climate so much that they will do anything to get into the area. A piercing can create a great risk for infection, according to the American Dental Association. When you have an oral piercing and braces, there will be twice as many places for bacteria-harboring food particles to hide in your mouth, which will put you at a greater risk for infection.

After looking at the problems that can arise when you have oral piercings and braces, it is easier to understand why many orthodontists and dentists will recommend that the piercings be removed during treatment. In fact, do not be surprised if your orthodontist requires that the piercings are removed while you are under their care and wearing braces.