Effects of Piercings

[RinTinTin]

My teenaged daughter already has her ears pierced, and not just two small holes. Now she wants to pierce her lip and her tongue. I am adamantly opposed to it, but she's determined. I'm also concerned that all sorts of side effects and damage to her teeth and gums might be a future result. Is there any basis for my concerns? I hope to change her mind before she goes off to college.

[Dr Mohsen J. Esfahani]

Yes there is, apart from the risk of infection if the piercing is carried out by non-sterile equipment or bleeding if an artery is damaged, there is also a risk of causing gum recession by the metal piercing rubbing against the gum soft tissues.