G.W. Schamback runs Perfect Smile Dental in Stuart, Florida. Here, he explains the risks of oral piercing.
Unless you want chipped teeth, huge scars, and to run a risk of infection, you should really think several times before getting your tongue pierced. Many people fail to realize that even precautions taken during the installation of a piece of piercing jewelry are not enough to stave off harmful, long-term consequences such as cracked or chipped teeth, swelling, problems with swallowing and taste, and ugly scars. Add to this the possibility of choking on a piece of dislodged jewelry and you have to ask if the risks are warranted.
Chipped teeth. Here at Perfect Smile Dental, we repair the damage from chipped teeth with bonds or veneers. Both tongue and all types of lip piercings can cause chipped teeth.
Scars and tissue damage. The most serious long-term health problems from oral piercing come in the form of damage to the soft tissues such as the cheeks, gums, and palate, as well as opportunistic infections. With tongue piercing, you can get a fibroma scar once the bar bell is taken out. You end up with fibrous tissue on your tongue, which is thicker, harder tissue than would normally be there. So it changes the texture of your tongue forever. The size of the bar bell is what causes the scar – the stud and hole are much bigger than, for example, those of an ear piercing.
Infection. You can get pretty rampant infections from piercing that can cause pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
Blocked airways. Tongue piercings have also been known to cause blocked airways as a result of loose parts.
Bleeding. In some cases, a tongue piercing can cause uncontrolled bleeding.
Some states actually regulate or ban oral piercing (Florida regulates, but does not ban oral piercing), so be sure that you are not breaking any laws.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
