5 Things To Concider Before You Pierce Your Tongue

If you are thinking about having your tongue pierced, you want to make sure you think it through completely. There are some immediate risks to having it pierced, as well as the possibility of some negative long term effects. This article will provide you with information on the various ways a tongue piercing can negatively affect your oral health.

There is the possibility of nerve damage

Your tongue has a lot of nerves running through it and there is always the chance the needle can cause damage to the nerves when it penetrates your tongue. While this nerve damage may be temporary, there is the risk it can also be permanent. Nerve damage can affect your tongue movement and the way you taste.

You'll need to keep the tongue piercing in

A tongue piercing requires you to leave the piercing in place for as long as 8 weeks before it is healed enough to change the jewelry. Your mouth heals quickly and anytime you leave the jewelry out for an extended period of time, you should wear a clear piece of jewelry to keep the hole open. If you aren't sure you want such a high-maintenance piercing, a tongue piercing may not be the right fit for you.

There's a chance of infection

Your mouth is full of bacteria and purposefully putting a hole in your tongue comes with the risk of infection. If you get an infection, you'll have to be on antibiotics and remove the jewelry, which will cause the hole to close up.

The jewelry will cause dental damage

The ball on the end of the jewelry will rub against the backs of your teeth. This will eventually lead to damage to your teeth and cause your gums to recede away from your teeth.

There is a good chance you will chip or break your teeth

When you have a tongue piercing, there is a very good chance that you will bite down on it at some point and chip or break your tooth.

Now that you know about many of the risks that come with getting your tongue pierced, you are better informed when it comes to deciding whether or not the risk is worth it to you. If you have questions regarding any other ways the piercing can harm your dental health, you should go in and speak with your dentist before you go through with it. To find out more information, contact a business like Credit Creek Dental.