Flourish eMag Dec 24 - final - Flipbook - Page 56
Oral Gemstones and
Oral Piercings
The ADA discourages piercings
in the mouth, such as tongue
and lip studs, due to poten琀椀al
complica琀椀ons. Oral piercings can
cause pain, swelling, bleeding, and
infec琀椀on, and some people may
even have allergic reac琀椀ons to the
metal jewellery. Over 琀椀me, metal
jewellery can crack teeth, damage
gums, and even kill the nerve
inside teeth from repeated impact.
If you decide on a tongue or
lip piercing, plas琀椀c jewellery is
gentler on your teeth and gums.
If you’re considering an oral
piercing, speak with your den琀椀st
about the poten琀椀al risks.
Tooth gems, which are small
cosme琀椀c gems glued to the tooth
surface, generally don’t damage
the tooth. However, the adhesive
may leave a mark when the gem
is removed, so be sure to clean
well around the gem to avoid
plaque build-up.
Apps to Help Kids Brush
Their Teeth
Two minutes can feel like an eternity for
young children brushing their teeth. To
make it more fun, try di昀昀erent 昀氀avoured
toothpaste, play a favourite song, or use
a fun app. Recommended apps include
Wiggles Brush, Brush Monster, and Colgate
Brushing Adventure, as suggested by ADA
den琀椀st Dr Elice Chen. These free apps
work as brushing 琀椀mers and make brushing
engaging without pop-up ads or the need
for Bluetooth-connected toothbrushes.
Nicotine Pouches
Although smoking among adolescents
is declining, the use of vaping and now
nico琀椀ne pouches is rising, thanks to
social media trends. Nico琀椀ne pouches,
such as ‘Zyn’ and ‘Snus’, are tucked
between the gums and cheek for a
nico琀椀ne buzz. Unfortunately, these
products aim to hook vulnerable
adolescents, and the long-term e昀昀ects
of nico琀椀ne pouches are s琀椀ll unknown as
they haven’t been around long enough to
be thoroughly studied.
