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Linda Carroll writes: Your teen has been begging for months to get a tongue piercing. All her friends have them and she can’t understand why you are such an old fuddy duddy, steadfastly refusing to let someone stick a stud through her tongue. OK, it’s icky, but you’re starting to lose ground with that argument.
Researchers to the rescue. A new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, shows that tongue studs cause a gap-toothed grins.
Apparently, kids like to play with their tongue studs, often pushing the barbell shaped ornaments back and forth against their front teeth. In the case described in the new study, a young woman managed to create a significant space between her upper teeth -- called a diastema -- by periodically wedging the thin part of the barbell between them and wiggling it around over the course of seven years.
“It is a basic tenet of orthodontia that force, over time, moves teeth," explains the study’s lead author, Dr. Sawsan Tabbaa, an assistant professor of orthodontics at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
The new report comes as no surprise to Dr. Brian Martin, a chief of the division of pediatric dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Over the years, Martin has seen plenty of similar piercing related spaces develop in his hip young patients. But that’s not the worst scenario, he says.
“I’ve seen patients fracture their teeth by repeatedly clacking the piercing against them,” says Martin, “Or sometimes a kid will break a tooth when she inadvertently gets the piercing between her teeth as she bites down on some food.”
Ultimately, the 26-year-old woman in the study got her teeth fixed with braces. And there’s the rub -- and your new best argument. Is it worth being like all the other kids if you’re going to wind up with braces or a broken tooth?
Ever been injured by your tongue piercing? Other hazards of being hip? Share in the comments.
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I had my tongue pierced twice! The hole closed up after I took it out for a few days...so I pierced it again a year later. Over the course of about five years of having the piercing, I broke two teeth by accidentally biting on my stud while eating. My dad, who is a dentist, was livid. Oops! I learned my lesson, I guess, and finally took his advice to get rid of it.
Well, that sounds like a good enough argument not to get a tongue piercing. The only non-ear piercing I've ever gotten was a septum ring. It took months to heal, and it made my nose constantly run, it was really unpleasant.
The hole is still there even though I had it done years ago. Its funny freaking out my own kids by hanging flowers and things off my face.
I've had my tongue piercing since I was 24, and I haven't had a single problem with my teeth (I am now 36.) The key is to not bang it against your teeth or play with it!. I have noticed, however, that some piercers will place the piercing closer to the front of the tongue rather than in the middle, where mine is located, which may play a role in potentially damaging the teeth.
I'd never have my tongue pierced, however, I did manage to break a front tooth when I inadvertantly bit a fork while eating a salad and watching the Carolina Panthers play on tv. Actually, I ended up with a fractured skull - as the metal post supporting a crown moved enough to cause a hairline fracture. Long story short (and over $5k later), I ended up having to get an implant. Now I stick to finger foods while watching football.
Would someone please tell me what the purpose of a tongue piercing is other than for those who desire to enhance their lovers experience when having oral sex, unless of course you want to let every stranger you stumble across know how much you enjoy giving oral sex. What other reason on Gods green earth would one have for poking a hole in their tongue and sticking a piece of metal through it? And please don't tell me it is a form of self expression, unless of course you tend to have conversations or walk down the street with your tongue hanging out. I believe tongue wagging is a trait more closely associated with the canine species. Woof!
The older chick from the original 90210 cast, Gabrielle Carteris, had a short-lived talk show & one of the topics was body piercing. There was a member of the audience that volunteered to get her tongue pierced on the show - they showed it from beginning to end and I was like "Oh my God...WHY??" A few years later, I got my tongue pierced before it was popular and wide-spread within the African American community. I wanted to be different and I was (am) too afraid of getting anything permanent like a tattoo. With a piercing, you can take out the ring, and allow the hole to close and no one would be the wiser. That was 15 years ago. I never got the ring with any inclination that it was seen as a "toy of foreplay". I got it to be different, and I thought it looked sexy. Every person I've encountered intimately in the last 15 years has considered it sexy - I've never had 1 complaint (of course, who would complain about it?). I loved it when I got it, and I'll love it till it's time for me to get rid of it. I'm 6 mos shy of 40 yrs old. I'm a professional, married mother of 3 who has never drank or smoked or did drugs. I was born with a gap in my teeth, so that hasn't been an issue. And, yes, I have chipped a tooth (1 of my molars), but the overall health of my teeth is great. So, no, I don't see the problem with having it. Of course dentists are going to have a problem with it because they eat, sleep, and breathe healthy tooth care. It's like trying to convince a vegetarian it's okay to eat meat, or a hairstylist it's okay to do your own hair at home. To each his own...
i used to have a tongue ring, and it is a form of self-expression. The whole point of self-expression is it is for you not anybody walking down the street. I would have preferred to get other piercings, however in my chosen profession those would have left visible scars when removed. That is how I ended up piercing my tongue. If you handle a tongue piercing correctly you shouldn't have issues with it. The biggest mistake is the size of the rod that you use. Once the piercing is healed, you need to get a thinner and smaller rod to wear. The original rod is quite large to account for the swelling that will occur post-piercing.
My final thought, if it isn't your body, it isn't your business. Do what you like to your own body and I will do what I like to mine.
:)
I got my tongue peirced when I was .. 19 I think... The reason why I did it was simply because my sister bet me that I wouldn't. She had hers peirced and she said that if I did it then she'd give me 50 bucks.
I enjoyed having it and not because of any sextual intentions. I liked it 'just because' I had it in for about four years, and finally got rid of it when I was 23.. I just took it out one day and threw it away. I basically thought that I outgrew it.
It only hurt for less than a minute, the swelling was the worst and lasted for a few days (just like any peircing) but once it was healed I completely forgot about it and found myself being shocked that I had it, because I kept forgetting. It's like getting a tatoo, you get it, its sore, it heals, you forget and then one day someoen goes " love your tatoo" and you go "OH CRAP I forgot I had this"... (I have two tatoo's and I love them)
I got it more towards the middle of the tongue and only accidentally bit it once, but the ball was plastic and I just broke it in half. I never chipped teeth, or spaced them out.
I didn't get it to be part of a fad. I didnt get it to express myself I just got it to get it and thats all. Whatever live and learn. Be young and outgrow... ces la vie
I feel ya, man. I'm a young guy, so don't think I'm a geezer for saying this, but I'd like to smack all these dumb kids ruining their bodies. Not that I care if they ruin their own bodies, but I don't want to have to see them and I don't want to have to pay their welfare and hear their bitching and moaning about how unfair and uncool the world is when no one will hire them because of how they look.
But yes, kids, if you're so desperate to draw attention to yourself, please do it in a reversible way. At least then, when you get older, you can transform into a respectable member of society and get a job.
I thank God all the time that I never went through with getting a tattoo when I was young and stupid. But I guess that's the point - I was young and restless, but never quite that stupid.
I did see some show the other day that put it perfectly, though: Tattoos (or piercings) are for ugly people who can't get attention otherwise. And it's so totally lame now that everyone is doing it anyway. Christ, people, get a life and some self-esteem and self-respect.
The health problems frequently associated with a toungue piercing lends itself to more individuality than the piercing itself. How ironic.
I had to go to the hospital because I swallowed the ball that keeps the piercing together and the piercing itself. I was scared it would puncture something in my body. I had to get a e-ray and it was all very embarrasing. After that I just let it close up. I have a scar on my tongue still that I thing is so ugly. It was not worth it. I never really thought it was cute. Just trying to stay in the mix of what's new...
Although I think they're cool, the cons definitely outweigh the pros in the case of tongue piercing.
First off, as with any unnatural tearing in the flesh, there is always the chance for infection and with tongue piercings it can be extremely dangerous. People have died when bacteria entered the hole in their tongue, got into their bloodstream, and entered their brain.
Second, there is a large nerve going through the center of your tongue. Although tongue piercings seem to be evenly centered they are actually slightly off to avoid damaging that nerve. No matter how skilled or trained someone is accidents do happen and if the person doing the piercing is a hair width off and they hit that nerve you can completely lose the use of your tongue. No more talking, tasting, or eating solid foods.
Lastly, as the article says you can seriously damage your teeth with one.
With all these unnecessary health risk this is one case were it's cooler to not be cool.
Sara, Infection is caused by you not taking care of a cut, a scrape, or a peircing. Maybe if people took better care of themselves they wouldn't get sick, and get infections.
After you are done getting the peircing, the guy who did it tells you that you need to swish around equal parts of mouthwash and water together continually during the coarse of the first few days to kill any bad bacteria (the water is to save some of the good) and spit it out.
If your not willing to listen to anyones advice especially about a hole in your body that is unatural then thats your own fault. Survival of the fittest if you ask me.
Yes there is a nerve running through the center of your tongue but its not like its that hard to miss noticing and avoiding, some people are not trained and some people let whoever do whatever kind of work on them without the proper certifications come out before the process. You need to be licenced. But those accidents are very few and far inbetween.
I have seen more girls with belly button rings get infections and their body rejecting it, swollen skin, oozing pussing, and bleeding then I have ever heard of with a tongue ring.
And yes you can damage your teeth if you chew on it all the time, and not be careful. But if you get a plastic ball and plastic bar the chances of you breaking or chipping teeth are knocked down by 80% because plastic breaks... if you keep the original metal bar thats put in your mouth (which is extremely uncomfortable) thats your own doing.
There are not any more unnecessary health risks with a tongue ring then there are with any other peircing. Infection can be avoided...
Did we forget the real problem... the real reason the kids get their tongue pierced...hellooo!!!
Which is what, pray tell?...
I'm sure he's thinking of some deviant act that defiles god, at least in his mind.
Those unfortunate hipsters should pick up a book to read or get Interested in something else rather than just themselves and get busy. Or all of the above and learn how to carry on an intellectual conversation and maybe the craved attention will come without having to pierce the poor tongue,
It has nothing to do with getting attention. You really have no idea what you are talking about. Some people get it for attention YES just like people get clothes for attention, cut their hair for attention, just like the way you dress everyday you wake up is for 'attention'
Most people get it just because they want it, they want to experience it. That's all and nothing more, its personally enjoyable just to have for no real reason at all.
I had my tongue peirced and I wasn't a "Hipster" and that phrase is really ridiculous. Most of us probably have a higher IQ than most of the people that you know. So don't put ' peircings' and 'stupidity' in the same catagory unless you know what you are talking about.
You are very ignorant if you think that we are all weirdo people with no social skills, and who crave other peoples attention. Because if so then I accuse you of doing the same thing by the way you paint your nails, the way you do your hair and the way you wear any type of clothing. It's all to 'impress' someone else.
Don't judge other people. You have no right at all.
Poor Heather.................................she's trying so hard to make stupidity acceptable. Just keep voting for the Democrats Honey, you'll be fine.........................
Doesn't take long for some right wing nut to stink the place up like good ol wolfhound. Stupidity is the calling card of the right -such as Palin ( can't read and can barely talk), Boehner ( I have no actual ideas myself) or their new poster child ( I forgot where my brain was ) Jan Brewer. they don't have any brains but apparently they don't come up short on hate. go away hate people.
My son wanted a tongue piercing, he was in Jr. High. I said no and he proceeded to pierce his own tongue. Needless to say, we ended up in the emergency room with a piece of paper clip broke off in his tongue!! The ER doc said that tongue piercing is very dangerous and the chance of infection is very great. I would think twice about this if it were me. I liked Mick Blacks comment. Why are these kids wanting their tongues pierced??
To be frank, no self-respecting teenager would use the words "fuddy duddy" to describe anything. Rest-assured, parental units around the world, that your children are a lot more creative when raging against your latest unjust actions. On the topic of orthodontics, one would think that an intelligent person could avoid forming the habits described in the article. Then again, intentionally inflicting pain and a chance of infection upon oneself isn't exactly indicative of an exceedingly intelligent individual. Regardless, such an argument will easily be countered- there certainly isn't enough information here to constitute an entirely valid point in the repetoire of reasons against tongue piercings... one would most definitely end up falling back on the "because I'm your [parent/guardian] and I say so," which will give you an even more indignant teenager to deal with. Oh, and woe be unto the parent who threatens their child with braces. They'd have to be insane, considering the cost and potential for failure. I'm 17, and while I'm certainly not going to be picking up a piercing of any sort, I wouldn't rely on this argument to be anything more than a footnote. Come on, people.
this is ridiculous. study shows it causes gap? rather than what would be the correctly stated, CAN cause gap? only undiciplined, ignorant people, (adult or child alike) will get one of these gaps between their teeth. maybe they should of thought of that before they put a metalic inanimate object in the most dexterous muscle in their body, as well as in their oral cavity. I've had mine now for 6 years, age 18-24. I have never had any dental issues with my piercing, namely because the stud on mine is acrylic, just for that reason, because accidents happen regardless of dicipline not to play with it. body modification should only be undertaken by people who are educated about the possible effects irresponsible behaviour with their piercing can cause.
grow up people.
I'm a 46 year old mother of 5 kids- and I have my tongue pierced. If I could afford the initial cost, I would have a lot more piercings(and tattoos),too. Why? I like them. There are a lot of things in this world that aren't good for people, but they use, eat, drink, and do them anyway. In the 12 years since I had my tongue pierced, the only dental problems I've had have been from other things- even my dentist has told me not one was related to it.As for infection, after I got the piercing, I walked around with a little bottle of Listerine for about 6 weeks. I swished for at least a minute after everything I ate or drank, and at least once an hour. No problem there, either. I've known more who have had thier ears get infected than thier tongues.
The second week I was away at college I got my tongue pierced. I knew all the risks...I had been lectured by my mother, brother, and dentist on all the side effects. But I like the way it looks...I got my tongue pierced because I find it aesthetically pleasing. It had nothing to do with fitting in, being cool, and definitely had nothing to do with oral sex! From age 18 to age 21 I had no problems...I was careful, did what I was supposed to do, and did not play with the ring. My dentist said my teeth and gums were perfect! Then I met my significant other! I was considering taking the piercing out, but she told me she liked the way it looked and that's all I needed to hear to keep it. Well, let's just say that during my relationship my tongue was being used a lot more and in new ways! When I went to the dentist at 22 he told me that the gums behind my bottom front teeth were eroded. He also said that if I kept the tongue ring in not only would my gums continue to deteriorate but I would lose my bottom front teeth as well. I underwent a horrible surgery in which they took a piece out of the roof of my mouth and sewed into the gums behind the bottom front teeth. Not only was it uncomfortable, but the recovery wasn't so great either! And despite all that, I miss my tongue ring. I know a lot of people get it to be cool and possibly increase pleasure during oral sex...but not everyone with a tongue ring gets a tongue ring for those reasons. Some of us just like the way it looks. I'm sure a lot of you don't understand that, but it's the truth. And I have no doubt that many of you think one has to be stupid to pierce their tongues...but like one of the posts above said, if you are educated about body piercing and you do the proper maintenance on the piercing, there isn't too much to worry about. So while you might not understand it, please do not judge everyone you see with a tongue ring because you think they are young and stupid and want it for oral sex! I liked the way it looked and felt, just like you like the way a pair of shoes looks and feels!
I am 26 years old and still have my tongue pierced from when I was 18. I liked the idea of having different color balls and designs to express myself. I never thought of it as a sexual thing but as a way to show my personality and creative side. I have not had any problems with my piercing as I was sure to do research prior to getting it done. I also made sure to follow the cleaning and care instructions post piercing. Plus, as someone mentioned earlier, I switched to a thinner bar and plastic balls to ward off tooth damage. My teeth are fine and my dentist thinks it is funny as he knows I am a well educated woman. I am a master's level psychotherapist and I am currently working on a PhD in health psychology. You do not have to be a stupid or impulsive teenager to get your tongue pierced. It is an insult to believe that the intelligent would never do such a thing.
Like any body adornment, proper use and care and attention to repetitive habits is advised. I have no problem with my body piercings but I also take care not to do things that would cause damage, such as clicking a steel object against any body part repetitively.
Body piercing isn't allowed for minors in my state and it should be that way.
Also, if a person steps on the top of their foot repetitively, every day while wearing stiletto heels it will cause permanent damage too.
I was happy to get my tongue pierced years ago, I thought it was so cool, and that I would NEVER bite down on it. "I'll be careful!", I thought. "It'll never happen to me!", I said. Am I glad I got it in hindsight of all the times I've bitten down on it by accident? Probably.
The biggest problem with that piercing is that you have ZERO control over where the barbell sits in your mouth while sleeping. Because of that, my barbell sat on the rear gum line of my bottom front teeth. Now I've got irreversible gum damage that needs surgery to correct it. So if you asked me again if I'm glad I got it in hindsight of this gum damage? No way.
It's not worth it.
I've had my tongue pierced for over 9 years. I can take the barbell out for weeks at a time and have no problem getting it back in. I have had absolutely no dental problems as a result of it. I have no gaps in between my teeth and the only chipped tooth I have occurred in a bicycle crash when I was twelve. My dentist lectures me everytime I go in, but nothing he has ever tried to scare me with has ever happenned. Bottom line is that people with a tongue ring need to use a little self control and brains. Playing with a metal barbell by forcing it in between teeth, rolling it on teeth, or chomping down on it (even lightly) is just plain stupid. If you get your tongue pierced you have to commit to taking care of it and your mouth. This means a little self discipline in cleaning and some self control in saying no to certain foods that can aggravate it while the swelling goes down. As soon as the swelling does go down, switch to a barbell that's as short as possible and use plastic balls while you are getting used to controlling where it is in your mouth while you eat. Accidentally chomping on plastic is not as bad as chomping down on metal.
You know, it's funny that my sister has a gap between her two front teeth, and yet she doesn't have her tongue pierced. I on the other hand have no gap between my front teeth, and I've have my tongue pierced for almost 9 years. The one chipped tooth I have was from long before I had my tongue pierced. I used to put safety pins and other crap in my mouth to chew on. My mom was always mad at me for the safety pin thing. I do play with my barbell, but I think it's rather a bit safer than a safety pin.
If you have a proper bar length and use acrylic balls then you shouldn't have issues with biting it, and if you do then the acrylic ball would break before your teeth would. Personal responsibility in knowing your piercing and the proper jewelry for it is key. And going along with personal responsibility, there is a reason why those under 18 cannot get piercings without parental approval. I have 2 daughters (3 and 5) who will not even have their ears pierced until they are capable of caring for their piercings on their own. I also refuse to have them pierced anywhere but a reputable piercing shop, because going to places in the mall is far more irresponsible than letting a child be pierced to begin with.
I have two 15/16" monel bolts with stylish nylock nuts thru my ears. A high-school combination lock thru my septum and two 1/4" lag bolts embedded into my skull. My next door neighbor is etching the magna carta on my chest with a Weller soldering gun. and this winter, Im planning on putting a clevis pin on my junk.
Gawd aint I so freekin cool!
Thats just retarded. Please let me cut in front of you in the security line at the airport.
take it from me, being a hygienist...dont pierce your tongue. the risks outweigh the benefits. get a removable one, they make them!! and you can please your partner or whatever....with out harmful effects to your teeth, tongue, gums, not to mention whole body health because the jewelry is coated in pathogenic biofilm...yum let me kiss that!!!...YUCK
"get a removable one, they make them!!"
They're ALL removable- that's the only kind they make! And biofilm is associated with medical implants, not jewelry. The only jewelry that's coated with it is in INDIA, I looked it up. Good grief....
I guess we are still a long way from being civilized. Body mutilation is how our ancestors identified themselves with their tribes. Body mutilation today? One step forward, two steps back toward civilization I suppose. You may think it looks cool because you want it to. Similarly, anorexics think they look fat. It does not look cool. It looks stupid - it is stupid. When I see someone who has pierced their body I wonder, why do you hate your body so?
You're right. Just look at all the uncivilized people posting about this very topic! Here we are, attempting to have a friendly conversation about a common interest and suddenly the heathens (we call them trolls, these days) come barging in, putting everyone who is different than themselves down and attempting to make themselves look intellectually superior with childish name-calling.
Oh well, thank goodness for the ignore function, right?
What are you talking about " Hating our body" Listen just because you don't do it does not mean that its wrong. You should just focus on yourself. Because you are not us. And clearly we do not think the same. That does not mean that its wrong.
I have peircings and two star tatoo's I love my body. I didn't do it to show off or to be interesting to other people. I did it for me.
It's my body and I can do what I want with it.
You fall and get a scar and say its part of your character. Well my tatoo's are part of mine. Leave it be and don't judge people for something you have no experience with.
Please. It's rude to say that we hate our bodies. Maybe you should stop talking for a while.
If piercing your body parts and altering your apearance by implating horns or ear fobs or tatoots is what helps your freak flag get up the pole knock yourself out, just don't judge those who don't ,because you don't have to show it to know it, just make sure you are walking your talk, don't do it to be cool, 'cause that's not cool and you will regret it later.
In my day; if everyone did something - it wasn't cool - and you had to work hard at being different. We fought for years just to grow our hair out - now being cool can be accomplished in one trip to the mall...lmao.
Take away my brothers tattoos and he loses the ability to converse - he is a major attention whore and can't make it through a day unless someone notices him.
The second I notice everyone doing the same thing - I instantly stop doing whatever it is. Once the 11 year olds started coming to basketball practice (around 1996) with ear-rings, I stopped wearing mine.
i do not have a tongue piercing, but i do have a natural gap between my two front teeth. i decided to not close the gap because i think it gives me character and i would look like a different person without it. however, most people don't even realize i have it until i tell them, or they randomly notice it after years of knowing me and ask if it's always been there. my point is, i don't think a gap between your front teeth is such a big deal and not a very good argument if your child wants a tongue ring. if you don't allow them to get one now they will most likely get one when they are on their own. this article makes it sound like a gap is the worst possible thing that could happen if you get your tongue pierced. if you really want an argument google "tongue ring infection" and show that to your kid.
I personally don't like tatts or piercing other than small earlobe pierces, maybe 2 each ear. I am very conservative in the body mutilation/scarification area, but thought that it would be OK if my daughter got a tongue piercing because of where it was. INSIDE her mouth where it would be out of sight most of the time. That was UNTIL I did the research about how dangerous to her health it could be. We talked about the risks, looked at some pictures of some of the bad results that could happen, and she decided that she really didnt want it. She now wants a tattoo, but I have a secret weapon. Her grandpa got bluebirds on each pec when he was a young man in the Navy. They now look like strange faded bruises that will never go away. Ill just have my Dad take off his shirt in front of her, and maybe that will stop it.