News
Parents Beware: Tongue Piercing Can Prove Fatal
Published: Aug 13, 2004 - 10:43 AM
As kids head back to school this year, once again they will find themselves subject to peer pressure to partake in the latest fashion trends. While some fads annoy a parent?s more mature sensibilities, many can overlook those that are benign. If your child is contemplating have his or her tongue pierced, or already has a tongue piercing, it?s time for a tongue lashing from Mom or Dad because dentists agree that this is one dangerous trend.
Dr. Marc Liechtung is a Manhattan dentist and a father. He is alarmed by the escalating numbers of kids (and adults) with tongue piercings. As he explains, ?anyone considering tongue piercing should seriously consider the risks before undergoing this procedure. Unfortunately, the people who do this do not usually have a license and do not discuss the negative possibilities. The most important dental problem is the possible damage to teeth that can be caused by the metal jewelry. The metal can cause teeth to chip or fillings to break. Teeth can become sensitive if a person develops the habit of biting on the metal jewelry in one area of the mouth. This can result in one or more teeth needing root canal therapy.? A local or systemic infection is possible. The human mouth is a cesspool of bacteria and even if instruments are sterilized, a person who has this procedure can develop an infection. Some patients have allergies to the metal and if the object comes loose, it can be swallowed.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that extended wear of tongue jewelry (barbell-type) could increase one?s chance of gum recession and tooth chipping. Researchers from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and Ohio State University College of Dentistry examined and surveyed 52 young adults with pierced tongues. They found gum recession in 35 percent of subjects with pierced tongues for four or more years, and in 50 percent wearing long-stemmed barbells for two or more years. "During tongue movement, long-stem barbells are more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells," says Dr. Liechtung. He adds, "Over time, this damage may cause the gums to recede, which can lead to more serious dental/oral complications."
A study from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York presented results on 4,500 adolescents aged 12 to 21 and found that teens with body piercings are more likely to smoke cigarettes, use drugs and exhibit other types of unhealthy behavior. Study findings were presented at the Society of Adolescent Medicine's annual meeting in Boston.
"Mouth piercings and smoking combined could cause a mouthful of trouble," says Dr. Liechtung. He adds, ?smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to have calculus on their teeth. Combine these problems with gum recession from tongue piercing and you are on your way to having a serious infection called periodontal disease and not to mention a not so cool looking mouth." Dr. Liechtung strongly recommends discussing potential risk factors with your dentist before mouth piercing. Additionally, anyone with a pierced mouth should receive a thorough oral examination of their gums and teeth to identify problem areas. Taking precautions now will increase a person?s chance of keeping their teeth for a lifetime instead of needing dentures.
Dr. Liechtung states that, ?in addition to periodontal diseases tongue piercing may cause other complications such as tongue swelling, difficulties with chewing, swallowing and speech, increase of saliva flow, localized tissue overgrowth and metal hypersensitivity.? What is most alarming is that most people don't realize that getting an oral piercing also places them at risk for developing a fatal infection, such as Ludwig's angina or endocarditis, according to a report in the May/June 2004 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.
Ludwig's angina, a bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth, occurs after a tooth infection, mouth injury, oral surgery and oral piercings. After getting an oral piercing, the mouth has an open wound which allows bacteria to travel through the bloodstream. Bacteria then cause the floor of the mouth to rapidly swell, which can block the airway or prevent the swallowing of saliva. Endocarditis occurs when bacteria travels into the bloodstream through the piercing hole and infects the heart. Patients with a history of heart defects are at risk for endocarditis. At the dentist's office, a medical history is taken which helps the dentist determine who is at risk and those patients are given antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures in order to avoid this potentially fatal problem.
If all of the information is not enough to dissuade would-be tongue piercers, Dr. Liechtung also warns that, ?most body piercers are unlicensed and are not members of the medical profession. Because of this, health histories are not recorded or reviewed, emergency medical kits are not available, antibiotics are not prescribed and postoperative care is not available." Postoperative care can also help identify these serious infections before they become fatal. People are told to expect some swelling from a tongue piercing but if they don't receive follow-up care, they may not be aware of when it is abnormal swelling," stresses Dr. Liechtung. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, such as blood borne hepatitis. Also, if a patient is not instructed to avoid touching the piercing, they might spread infections with their own fingers.
For anyone considering tongue piercing to keep up with the latest celebrity inspired trends, they are courting a mouthful of trouble.
For information on Dr. Liechtung's practice please visit www.lincolncenterdentalarts.com
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that extended wear of tongue jewelry (barbell-type) could increase one?s chance of gum recession and tooth chipping. Researchers from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and Ohio State University College of Dentistry examined and surveyed 52 young adults with pierced tongues. They found gum recession in 35 percent of subjects with pierced tongues for four or more years, and in 50 percent wearing long-stemmed barbells for two or more years. "During tongue movement, long-stem barbells are more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells," says Dr. Liechtung. He adds, "Over time, this damage may cause the gums to recede, which can lead to more serious dental/oral complications."
A study from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York presented results on 4,500 adolescents aged 12 to 21 and found that teens with body piercings are more likely to smoke cigarettes, use drugs and exhibit other types of unhealthy behavior. Study findings were presented at the Society of Adolescent Medicine's annual meeting in Boston.
"Mouth piercings and smoking combined could cause a mouthful of trouble," says Dr. Liechtung. He adds, ?smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to have calculus on their teeth. Combine these problems with gum recession from tongue piercing and you are on your way to having a serious infection called periodontal disease and not to mention a not so cool looking mouth." Dr. Liechtung strongly recommends discussing potential risk factors with your dentist before mouth piercing. Additionally, anyone with a pierced mouth should receive a thorough oral examination of their gums and teeth to identify problem areas. Taking precautions now will increase a person?s chance of keeping their teeth for a lifetime instead of needing dentures.
Dr. Liechtung states that, ?in addition to periodontal diseases tongue piercing may cause other complications such as tongue swelling, difficulties with chewing, swallowing and speech, increase of saliva flow, localized tissue overgrowth and metal hypersensitivity.? What is most alarming is that most people don't realize that getting an oral piercing also places them at risk for developing a fatal infection, such as Ludwig's angina or endocarditis, according to a report in the May/June 2004 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.
Ludwig's angina, a bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth, occurs after a tooth infection, mouth injury, oral surgery and oral piercings. After getting an oral piercing, the mouth has an open wound which allows bacteria to travel through the bloodstream. Bacteria then cause the floor of the mouth to rapidly swell, which can block the airway or prevent the swallowing of saliva. Endocarditis occurs when bacteria travels into the bloodstream through the piercing hole and infects the heart. Patients with a history of heart defects are at risk for endocarditis. At the dentist's office, a medical history is taken which helps the dentist determine who is at risk and those patients are given antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures in order to avoid this potentially fatal problem.
If all of the information is not enough to dissuade would-be tongue piercers, Dr. Liechtung also warns that, ?most body piercers are unlicensed and are not members of the medical profession. Because of this, health histories are not recorded or reviewed, emergency medical kits are not available, antibiotics are not prescribed and postoperative care is not available." Postoperative care can also help identify these serious infections before they become fatal. People are told to expect some swelling from a tongue piercing but if they don't receive follow-up care, they may not be aware of when it is abnormal swelling," stresses Dr. Liechtung. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections, such as blood borne hepatitis. Also, if a patient is not instructed to avoid touching the piercing, they might spread infections with their own fingers.
For anyone considering tongue piercing to keep up with the latest celebrity inspired trends, they are courting a mouthful of trouble.
For information on Dr. Liechtung's practice please visit www.lincolncenterdentalarts.com
