Say No To Tongue Bling

"Should I let my teen get their tongue pierced? Is it that big of a deal…??"

The answer is an emphatic … No! to Oral Piercings of any kind! 

One of our jobs as Pediatric Dentists is to educate our patients and their parents on the health implications of intra-oral piercing and intra-oral jewelry. And, yes, oral piercings are ‘a big deal' and this is why….

***The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry AAPD) policy on this topic states that intra-oral piercings of the tongue, lips, or cheeks could cause:

  No! to Oral Piercings of any kind! 

•    Bacteria accumulation on teeth
•    Pain and Infection
•    Scar Formation
•    Broken teeth
•    Gum disease
•    Speech Disorder
•    Nerve damage
•    Bleeding
•    Swelling
•    Endocarditis (infection around the heart)
•    Airway obstruction
•    Decay/Cavities

As you can see, some of these consequences could be life threatening!  And, as if those reasons are not enough to say no to oral piercings, the AAPD also states that  “…unregulated piercing parlors and techniques have been identified by the National Institutes of Health as a vector for disease transmission (hepatitis, tetanus, tuberculosis) and as a cause of bacterial endocarditis (infection around the heart!) in susceptible patients…”  

Here, a lip piercing is causing recession gums due to the
constant friction of the jewelry on the same area.

Wow, those are enough reasons for me to say NO to my teen on this topic. Trust me, I know it is sometimes easier not to argue with your teen, but this is one of those battles that we all need to stand firm on.

**American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.  Policy on Intraoral / Perioral Piercing and Oral Jewelry/Accessories.  Pediatric Dent  2013:35(special issue):65-66.

#teenprobs #oralhealth #dentalfacts #saynototonguebling #itsjustafad #drrohnersadvice #ARPD #teensdentist


***Copyright 2014 Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry