Body piercing has become so popular and common that many people don't even think twice about the decision to get a tongue ring. However, it should be considered very carefully for more implications than just looks. Extended wear of a tongue ring--especially a large barbell--can have some negative consequences on your teeth.
Chipped or Cracked Teeth
Wearing a tongue ring may chip or crack your teeth. People will frequently hit their tongue jewelry against their teeth when talking and eating, and can even bite down on it, especially if they're wearing a long barbell, according to Perio.org. Constant contact between a tongue ring and teeth can cause the enamel--the hard outer coating that protects teeth--to chip away and expose the more sensitive deeper layers. More severe impact, such as biting on the tongue ring or getting hit in the mouth, can cause a crack that extends into the dentin, which makes up the bulk of a tooth, or into the pulp, which is the fleshy nerve center inside a tooth. For smaller chips, dentists can usually use sandpaper to smooth out the tooth or fill it with a composite material, according to the AHealthyMe.com. For deeper cracks, a root canal may have to be performed.
Receding Gums
Gum recession tends to happen as people get older, and especially after the age of 40, according to the California Dental Association. However, wearing a tongue ring can cause the problem to start much earlier and exacerbate the condition later in life, according to MayoClinic.com. When tongue jewelry frequently rubs and scrapes against the gums, it can cause them to get inflamed and irritated, and cause them to recede, according to Medical News Today. Receding gums move slowly down the tooth, exposing part of the root, and can cause sensitivity and pain.
Periodontitis
In some extreme cases, wearing a tongue ring can cause periodontitis, a serious gum infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone surrounding the teeth, according to MayoClinic.com. Periodontitis can have severe complications such as tooth loss, heart attack and stroke. Frequent contact between the tongue ring and the gums can irritate gum tissue and lead to infection, especially if the piercing isn't kept clean. The infection causes deep pockets filled with plaque, tartar and bacteria to form between the teeth and gums, which will eat away at bone and tissue. In cases of very deep infection, the bacteria causing periodontitis can travel through the bloodstream and cause serious complications such as heart attack and stroke.
