(July 2003)

A new report in the British Dental Journal suggests that piercing of any oral site carries a high risk of infection with the possibility of transmission of organisms such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus and candida.

Tongue piercing dates back hundreds of years and has become increasingly popular with today's youth, but dentists now say that tongue-piercing can have serious complications. Apart from infection, bleeding and scarring, it can also cause cracked teeth and nerve damage. "Piercing of oral sites may lead to a number of complications, some of which are life-threatening," said Tamer Theodossy, of University College London.

Dr Mervyn Druian, of the British Dental Association, also advised against tongue piercing because of the potential complications. "The trouble is, it has became a fashion accessory for some people," he said.

Source: British Dental Journal