Are oral piercings cool or harmful? Published Dec. 5, 2012 By Staff Sgt. Patrick Elliot 5th Medical Group Dental Flight MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Piercing, like tattooing, is just one of today's popular forms of body art and self-expression. Piercing may seem daring, cool and safe because some celebrities use it as a way to show their particular style or attitude. However, piercing the tongue, lips, cheeks or uvula, which is the tiny tissue that hangs at the back of the throat, is not as safe as some would have you believe. Because of its moist environment, the mouth is an ideal place for infection. An oral piercing can also interfere with speech, chewing or swallowing. That may seem like a mere inconvenience until you consider that it may also cause: Excessive drooling Infection, pain and swelling Chipped or cracked teeth Injuries to the gums Damage to fillings Increased saliva flow Hypersensitivity to metals Scar tissue Nerve damage These harmful effects can happen during the piercing, soon after, or even long after the procedure. An infection can quickly become life threatening if it's not treated promptly. For example, oral piercing carries a potential risk of endocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart valves or tissues. Bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the piercing site in the mouth and travel to the heart, where it can colonize on heart abnormalities. This is a risk for people with heart conditions and, in worse cases, may result in death. Another complication from piercing is tongue swelling. There have been reports of swelling serious enough to block the airway. Puncturing a nerve during a tongue piercing is also a possibility. If this happens, you may experience a numb tongue or nerve damage that is sometimes temporary, but may also be permanent. The injured nerve may affect your sense of taste or overall motor function of your mouth. Piercing the tongue could also lead to damage to the tongue's blood vessels which can cause serious blood loss. In addition to nerve damage and swelling for the piercing, piercing jewelry can sometimes cause an allergic response to the pierced site. The jewelry can even get in the way of dental care by blocking x-rays. As for active duty members, in accordance with AFI 36-2903, whether on a military installation or off, in uniform or not, with the exception of earrings for women, all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part. Don't pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your life, requiring constant attention and upkeep. Talk to your dentist for more information.