Yes, while plastic does not look shiny, it is softer on the gum tissue. It is one of the best recommendations for saving your gums without having the piercing removed.
Oral piercings can cause gum recession. This is primarily caused by the chronic friction and impact of metal jewelry against the gingiva. This mechanical trauma, most commonly seen on the lower incisors, can lead to root exposure and tooth sensitivity. This ultimately leads to gum tissue wearing away from the teeth. This can require immediate downsizing of the jewelry or a gum graft to correct the issue. Switching to a shorter post or stud can reduce the range of motion and impact on gums. Here at Enamel Dentistry, The Domain in North Austin, we understand that piercings are a part of your expression, and our goal is to help appropriately maintain your gums despite jewelry.
In 2026, oral piercings are safer than they used to be due to better education and advanced jewelry materials. However, studies support that the popularity of oral piercings can be worrying due to the number of risks and oral complications [1] (Mosaddad et al., 2023). Although infection controls have improved, the mechanical risk can still be high. For our patients here at Enamel Dentistry, The Domain, we see this often with tongue barbells and lip rings. Because jewelry introduces a hard material into a soft gum tissue, the safety of your piercing depends on placement and material.
Metal jewelry causes gum recession through chronic mechanical irritation. In fact, the connection between tongue piercing and periodontal problems has been proven and evident [2] (Plastargias et al., 2014). The gum tissue on your lower front teeth is extremely thin, which also exposes the lower incisors to potential trauma. Many people habitually click their tongue against their teeth or pull their lip ring tight to the gum line. When a metal stud rests in this anatomical area, the constant pressure can compromise the blood supply. In response, the gum recedes to avoid the mechanical irritation. Once the root is exposed, it can succumb to extreme sensitivity and decay.
When you first get pierced, a larger bar is often used to accommodate the swelling. Healing from the procedure can take three to five weeks, during which the site needs careful attention to hygiene. Many patients keep this bar in for years after. Since the bar is too long, it tends to be unstable and cause trauma to the teeth and gums with every movement of the mouth. Our team at Enamel Dentistry highly advises switching to a short, more snug-fitting post as soon as the swelling has resolved. This allows the jewelry to stabilize and pulls it away from the gum line.
Below is a table comparing metal, plastic, and downsizing of jewelry.
Jewelry type | Impact risk | Durability | Comfort |
Metal barbell | High | Very High | Low |
Downsizing | Medium | Very High | High |
Plastic | Low | Low | Very high |
You should switch to a plastic stud 2 to 4 weeks after the initial piercing, once the swelling has subsided. This is called downsizing and can be an important step to prevent gum recession. When you get pierced, the longer bar is used to account for the inflammation. If it is left in the mouth for too long, it can cause a lot more harm than good. Here are some things to look for if you need to downsize.
For patients at Enamel Dentistry The Domain, we recommend switching to not just a shorter post but also one made of bioplast material since they are flexible and non-porous.
Gums are not able to grow back on their own. Once the tissue is lost, it is gone. This is why studies recommend that dental professionals should be prepared to manage various oral health complications associated with tongue piercings [3] (Rojas-Reuda et al., 2025). If the gum recession is caught early, simply switching to a non-metal or a downsized stud can stop the progression. This will typically cost around $30. For advanced stages of gum recession, you may need a gingival graft. This procedure involves tissue being taken from the roof of your mouth and placed over the exposed root. This is often covered partially by insurance since it is deemed medically necessary to save the tooth. At Enamel Dentistry – The Domain location we also make your visit as convenient as possible by offering validated parking in the heart of the city, helping take the stress out of navigating a high traffic area like The Domain.
Yes, while plastic does not look shiny, it is softer on the gum tissue. It is one of the best recommendations for saving your gums without having the piercing removed.
Usually, the jewelry must be removed during the healing process. But once it has healed, the jewelry can be worn again.
In the early stages, it is often not. You might not feel pain until the root is exposed. At that point, you will feel a sharp pain when there is a temperature change in your mouth.
Dr. Hardik Chodavadia, DDS, provides comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry at Enamel Dentistry in Austin, TX. With extensive clinical experience, he specializes in preventive care, gum health, restorative dentistry, and minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. He is committed to delivering safe, evidence-based solutions that keep patients comfortable and informed at every step.
[1] Mosaddad, S. A., Talebi, S., Hemmat, M., Karimi, M., Jahangirnia, A., Alam, M., Abbasi, K., Yazadaniyan, M., Hussain, A., Tebyaniyan, H., & Abdollahi Namanloo, R. (2023). Oral Complications Associated with the Piercing of Oral and Perioral Tissues and the Corresponding Degree of Awareness among Public and Professionals: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 13(21), 3371. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13213371
[2] Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). The consequences of tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues. ISRN dentistry, 2014, 876510. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/876510
[3] Rojas-Rueda, S., Citrin, N. S., Antal, M. A., Garcia-Contreras, R., Jurado, C. A., & Azpiazu-Flores, F. X. (2025). Impact of Tongue Piercings on Oral Health: A Narrative Literature Review. Clinics and practice, 15(9), 171. https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15090171
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