Having your tongue pierced is what many people consider to a trendy, cool type of body decoration. But several health warnings are involved in the process, says Dr. Mark J. Warner, DDS, who owns Mark Warner DDS General Dentistry in Fairfield, California. He advises people not to do it, as the consequences can far outweigh the advantages.
Don’t do it! First off, I don’t like it. It can lead to the possibility of having an infection in your tongue, which is kind of gross and painful. Nobody wants to have a tongue infection, let me warn you. It’s not nice. And in some cases we have had to refer patients to an oral surgeon for gum surgery caused by rubbing tongue barbells.
Second of all, having your tongue pierced can also damage teeth. This happens when you accidentally bite on the stud or when the tooth wears against it. Some patients like to hold the ball on the top between their front teeth; in this case, you would end up wearing ball-shaped divots into your front teeth. Your teeth can be damaged, chipped or fractured as the result of a tongue stud, meaning you’d have to have your teeth repaired with fillings or crowns – not just once, but throughout your life as they need regular maintenance.
Dangerous Decoration
Tongue studs can also be dangerous. Most people do not have trouble with them, but if a stud were to come unscrewed and you aspirated piece of it and actually sucked it into your lungs that could be a problem. In rare cases, this would involve chest surgery to get out, and sometimes on the way down it could actually pierce an intestine.
In rare cases, a tongue stud can actually kill you. There are been a few cases of people ingesting the stud who have died; there have also been cases of people contracting HIV (the virus that can lead to AIDS) or Hepatitis C from having their stud put in using unsterilized instruments.
Think Carefully
If you are thinking of having a tongue stud, think carefully before you do. Don’t let a passing trend take over your life. Look online and view photos of people with tongue infections, or read about those who have had serious health complications as a result of their piercing. You may think again.
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.
