Not Your Mother's Jewelry: 5 Reasons Tongue Piercings Are Dangerous

Let’s get right to it; while tongue, cheek, and lip piercings are “so in” right now, here’s five reasons to keep piercings where they belong—in your ears:

Excessive drooling—YIKES!
Chipped teeth
Infection (some even in places you wouldn’t think can get infected)
Hypersensitivity to metal
Nerve damage

Drooling

Lip and tongue piercings may make you look cool and edgy. They may express your personality and creativity. But they can cause repeated drooling. That may not be the look you’re going for.

Broken Teeth

Another important reason to keep piercings away from your mouth, lips, and tongue, is because having any metal in your mouth can chip your teeth. This can happen while eating, drinking, or sleeping. Or even while playing with said piercing.

Do you already have a tooth that’s damaged? Repair these cracks early before more damage ensues.

Small breaks in a tooth can be filled, or crowned. But often patients with piercings come in with more serious problems. These may necessitate a root canal or tooth extraction.

Infection

Beware of infection. When it comes to oral piercings, you have to really watch the pierced area. Your mouth is a bacterial zoo, so to speak. Upon piercing anything in your mouth, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream. Neglecting correct brushing habits can lead to infection. As well as touching the piercing with dirty hands.

Hypersensitivity or Allergic Reaction to Metal

Many people love body jewelry. But too much of a good thing (like metal) can be bad. Having metal piercings can lead to hypersensitivity to any metal in your mouth, such as silverware. This is problematic for most individuals. (Stock up on plastic utensils!)

There is also the risk of an allergic reaction at the piercing site. If you know of a sensitivity to certain metals, you can get your piercing in a metal you aren’t allergic to. But you are still in danger of the other perils discussed here.

Nerve Damage

Finally, there’s the risk of irreversible nerve damage. If the previous dangers don’t turn you off, this one should. Experiencing a numb tongue is usually temporary. But in extreme cases, like if you can’t stop playing with the piercing, it can become permanent.