Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is tongue piercing and other oral piercing harmful?
A: Yes. People who undergo body piercing may consider it a form of body art and self-expression; no different than wearing earrings. People should understand the potential damage to dental and oral structures that can occur from oral piercings. Due to the number of bacteria in the mouth, piercing oral structures presents a high risk of infection.
Most jewelry found in the mouth takes the form of removable studs, hoops, or barbell-shaped devices that are purchased commercially. The metallic barbell stud may cause damage to the teeth and gums in the form of fractures or cracks in the tooth and gum loss. Often, the reconstruction of the tooth fails or is delayed due to continued trauma from the jewelry or the need for the piercing to heal prior to treatment.
Additional potential risks and adverse outcomes include pain, post-placement edema (swelling), prolonged bleeding, gum injuries, permanent numbness, and loss of taste.
Piercing has been identified by the National Institute of Health as a possible vehicle for transmission of hepatitis B,C,D and G, and HIV. The presence of metal jewelry in the oral cavity also presents oral hygiene problems.
Most episodes of oral piercing may proceed uneventfully, but the severity of the reported complications makes the practice difficult to condone. Body piercers are unlicensed and are not members of the medical profession. No health histories are taken at the piercing establishments, emergency kits are unusually not available, prophylactic antibiotics are not used, and no postoperative care is available.
