So you want to get a tongue stud. While millions of people have pierced their tongues as a way to express their individuality and creativity, you should really have a talk with the dentist before you start picking out barbells.
There are some important things to know before you pierce your tongue. For example, you need to make sure that the person doing the piercing is properly trained and follows the correct sterilization procedures, so you may want to check with your local health department before you do anything else. Our dentists, Dr. Nguyen, Dr. Fuhrmann, and Dr. Draper can tell you that a tongue piercing can make it difficult for them to clean your teeth and examine your mouth.
Remember the operative word here: piercing. This means you will be getting a hole in your tongue. If a blood vessel is punctured during the piercing process, you can develop serious problems with bleeding, and if the bleeding does not stop, you will need to visit the emergency room. Piercing your tongue will leave you vulnerable to infections, especially if the equipment has not been properly sterilized. You also run the risk of contracting several types of hepatitis. The effect of a barbell or tongue stud repeatedly striking your teeth can chip them or cause gaps in your smile. Pieces of a plastic stud can break off and can be swallowed. And if you do decide to pierce your tongue, you will have to make sure that you properly clean the area on a regular basis.
If you are still interested in an oral piercing in Sherman, Texas, you may want to schedule a visit to North Texas Dental first so that you can understand all of the risks. To make a pre-piercing appointment at our office, call 903-893-2800 today.