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What does a dentist think of tongue piercing?
Always fascinate me as a challenging art
As a dentist, I have the opportunity to come across cases of tongue piercings. Usually seen in younger people and not gender specific.
Reasons to have tongue piercing include fashion statements, popularity, individuality and desired pleasurable effect . The piercer often uses the silver barbell and the accessories are often coloured jewellery which may be changed occasionally.
Given the attractive assortments available today, it is indeed a tempting art that some young people like to acquire to break the boredom.
I am intrigued by this art as it takes skill and knowledge of the tongue’s anatomy to pierce a customer’s tongue. Not to mention the courage that the latter have.
The tongue is a very muscular and vascular organ so it does require a lot of care to have it installed.
A dligent and skilled piercer would know where to place the tongue piercing. The tongue’s vital structures are the lingual nerve and lingual artery. The patients that I have seen have their tongue piercings in the centre of their tongues.
Customers should be aware of the anatomical structures of the tongue and make an informed consent.
It is not appropriate to impose my views on the presence of tongue piercings already fixed but patients seem happy and I respect their wishes. However, I would advise them on the upkeep of the hygiene around these attachments. It is not uncommon to see plaque and tartar build-up under these attachments. Prevalence of Candida albicans, a fungal infection may be present.
So during prophylaxis of the teeth in the dental clinic, the attachments and the accessories of the barbell should be adequately cleaned and polished.
I also warn the patient about the possible physical damage to teeth and gum structures and dentures due to the mobility of the tongue. Sometimes teeth may chip due to accidental biting on the piercing. So chewing carefully is wise.
