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Tongue piercings have been around since the turn of 20th century and are still-up to this day-some of the most head-turning fashion statements one could "literally" die from.
Tongue piercings-as safe as they would possibly look to the endearing eye-are pretty much the same as having a syringe stuck in the tongue.
The barbell-shaped studs pose health risks that may lead to serious complications if not immediately treated.
People wearing these piercings often play with them as they were some sort of candy.
Constantly doing this can cause irreparable-if not costly-damages on their teeth, as the barbell-shaped stud, over time, pushes the front teeth (or the incisors) into a state of protrusion or misalignment.
Though not certainly gruesome as one would rectify, getting pierced will not only make you look unpleasant, but would also turn you into a dental patient in the process.
These self-inflicted "gaps" and "protrusions" on the teeth that are being caused by metal piercings are a slightly different case from inherited protrusions and malocclusions.
Just this August of 2010, a 26-year old woman went to the University of Buffalo's orthodontic clinic to complain about the large gap that developed in-between her upper front teeth.
It took her 7 years to realize that her once beautiful set of teeth now looked like an eerie mess that may take three more additional years to correct.
The cause? A barbell-shaped tongue stud.
Apparently, her story goes on as she was, in weeks, involuntarily playing with the studs for the next 7 years after she got them.
Eventually, she noticed a large gap forming between her front teeth, but she kept toying with her metal stud until the gap became unsightly.
Dr.
Sawsan Tabaa, DDS, the dentist handling the woman's case, said "The barbell is never removed because the tongue is so vascular that leaving the stud out can result in healing of the opening in the tongue-", additionally, she emphasized, "so it makes perfect sense that constant pushing of the stud against the teeth-every day with no break-will move them or drive them apart.
" The patient, who has been ill-advised on getting the piercings, is now wearing braces to correct the gap on her front teeth.
Additionally, Dr.
Tabaa said "Tongue piercing can result in serious injury not just to teeth but has also been associated with hemorrhage, infection, chipped and fractured teeth, trauma to the gums and, in the worst cases, brain abscess.
" Now for those of you who are personally considering or know someone on the verge of getting body piercings, share with them this article-a life without body piercings is one way of drawing away from additional medical and dental bills.
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