Frequently Asked Questions

Tongue and Lip Piercing

Date Posted: 12/1/2001

Question Is tongue and lip piercing safe?

Answer If you have your tongue pierced and have inserted a stud (or other adornment), you are risking painful damage to your teeth — like the eighteen year-old who needed repairs to six fractured teeth. Tongue piercing carries a risk of injury to the vital structures within the tongue, as it is full of muscle fibres, blood vessels and nerves. Apart from its function in speech, the tongue also acts as the carrier of many specialised taste buds. It is advisable to contact your dentist prior to having oral piercing done so areas at risk can be located and you are given enough information about future complications to make an informed decision.

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What is the ADA's position on tongue and lip piercing?
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Is tongue and lip piercing safe?
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