Piercing, like tattoos, is one of the modern forms of art and self-expression. A piercing may look bold, cool and completely safe, but piercing the tongue, lips, cheeks or uvula (the small piece of tissue that hangs down at the back of the throat) is not as safe as people think. This is because of the moist environment in the mouth, which is home to large numbers of bacteria ready to cause an infection at any time. An oral piercing can interfere with speech, chewing and swallowing. If that does not seem like much of a problem, take a look at what else an oral piercing can cause.
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Excessive saliva production
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Infections, pain and swelling
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Chipped or broken teeth
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Gum injuries
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Damaged fillings
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Hypersensitivity to metal
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Scratches and scarring of the tissues
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Nerve damage
These painful effects can appear while the piercing is being done, soon afterwards or even a long time after the procedure.
An infection can quickly become life-threatening if it is not treated in time. For example, an oral piercing also carries a potential risk of endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves or tissues). Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the puncture in the mouth, reach the heart, colonise it and disrupt how it works. The risk is especially high for people with heart problems.
After a piercing, the tongue may swell. There are documented cases of serious swelling that blocked the airway. A nerve can also be cut during the procedure. If this happens, you may have a "numb" tongue – nerve damage that may be temporary but can also be permanent. Nerve damage can lead to changes in taste or in how the mouth moves. Damage to the blood vessels of the tongue can cause serious blood loss.
In addition, the jewellery itself can cause allergic reactions where it is placed. It can also affect the image on dental X-rays.
This article is for information only and does not replace an examination by a dentist.
