Dentists speak out against deadly tongue piercing.
The British Dental Association have spoken out against oral piercings after a man died from brain abscesses caused by his tongue stud.
BBC News reported that the 22-year-old died in hospital with multiple abscesses on his brain just weeks after getting his tongue pierced.
Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, said Dentists were very aware health problems caused by oral piercings.
The prof explained that there were a number of potential complications that occur with oral piercings including pain, swelling, chipped or cracked teeth, gum recession and lengthy periods of bleeding.
He added that piercings also carry a risk of infection and should be avoided.
The dead man’s doctors said infections from the piercing had spread to his bloodstream and on to the brain.
Infections can occur because of poor hygiene at some stage in the procedure or people failing to take care of the piercing when they return home.
It should be noted that most piercers are very hygienic and complications rarely occur.
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