Tongue piercings are a mouthful of trouble
12 April 2002
People who have had their tongues pierced with a barbell for more than two years are prone to receding gums and chipped teeth, US researchers have revealed.
Their study of 52 people with a mean age of 22 years found that half of all participants with piercings 2 or more years old had receding gums.
And about half of those who had had their tongue pierced for 4 or more years had chipped molars and premolars.
There was no damage in people with piercings less than 2 years old, the researchers said in the Journal of Periodontology (2002; 73: 289-97).
Researcher and Ohio State University professor Dr Dimitris Tatakis said during tongue movement, long-stem barbells were more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells.
But chipped teeth were more common in people with short-stemmed barbells.
'A short barbell is possibly easier to position between teeth, which could be one reason why we are seeing more chipped teeth in this group,' he said.
According to the American Academy of Periodontology, other problems associated with tongue piecing include increased saliva flow, localised tissue overgrowth, metal hypersensitivity, and chewing and swallowing difficulties.
Association president Dr Timothy Roberts said smokers with tongue piercings also faced 'a mouthful of trouble'.
'As a smoker, you are more likely than non-smokers to have calculus on your teeth, deep pockets between your teeth and gums, and loss of bone and tissue,' he said.
'Combine these problems with gum recession from tongue piercing and you are on your way to having a serious infection.'
Last Reviewed: 19 April 2002
- Medical Observer Weekly 12/04/02
