Fiddling with a pierced tongue can lead to gaps between front teeth and other health and orthodontic problems, according to new research.
The research carried out at the University at Buffalo, New York, suggests tongue piercing can be a major cause of teeth irregularity problems.
The new report claims people with tongue piercings are likely to push the metal stud up against their teeth causing gaps and other orthodontic problems to arise.
The risks to oral health, have long been suspected from tongue piercing, but the new report reveals that as well as causing tooth gaps, oral piercings can also lead to chipped teeth and oral infections.
To avoid orthodontic problems health experts are warning people to avoid having piercings in their teeth.
Sawsan Tabbaa, author of the study and a professor of orthodontics at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, said that force over time moves teeth and the results caused by people playing with their studs crop up in a: “very high per cent of the cases”.
Tooth damage was found to be common in both past and current case studies.
The results of research into tongue piercings and their oral health and orthodontic implications were published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics.
The study found that tongue piercing can also result in serious injuries, not just to teeth but also haemorrhages, infections, trauma and even brain abscesses.