General Dentistry

Thinking about getting your tongue pierced?

Have you thought about chipped teeth, drooling, gum damage, nerve damage, taste loss, tooth loss or infection? The problems that can arise from such a piercing might surprise you, reports the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education.

Fractured teeth are a common problem for tongue piercing. People chip teeth on tongue piercings while eating, sleeping, talking and chewing on the jewelry. The fracture can be confined to tooth enamel of your tooth and require a filling, or it may go deep into the tooth, causing a need for a root canal or extraction.

Infections are also common, and they cause more than pain. The tongue is covered with bacteria. The moment the tongue is punctured, bacteria is introduced into the blood. When that happens, bacteria reaches the heart and causes a variety of serious health problems.

If you decide to pierce your tongue, take care of it. Once the tongue has been pierced, it takes three to four weeks to heal. Barring complications, the jewelry can be removed for short periods of time without the hole closing. Always remove the jewelry every time you eat or sleep. Clean the piercing with an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal and brush the jewelry the same as teeth to remove plaque.

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