I really want my tongue pierced but what are the facts

[monster]

I really want my tongue pierced but everyone says it really hurts and decays your teeth. Help?????

[monster]

Body piercing, whether ears, tongues, belly buttons or elsewhere, is not without its risks and complications. Instruments used for piercing can become contaminated with blood. If they are not properly cleaned and sterilised between clients, then you could catch hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. Piercings can also become infected (like boils) which may mean the piercing then needs to be removed.

Tongue piercing carries particular risks. Following the piercing, there is a variable amount of swelling of the tongue which can make it difficult to talk, eat and swallow for a few days. Rarely, life-threatening swelling and/or infections can occur. As you mention, the tongue stud may rub on the back of your teeth, causing damage to tooth enamel.

At 13 years of age, it is likely that you would require your parents? permission to have a tongue piercing. Give careful thought as to why you feel so strongly about it. Hopefully it is not just because others have had it done and you feel ?the odd one out?. We are all individuals and should be comfortable with our appearance, without the need for piercings, tattoos, or particular types of clothing to make us feel good about ourselves. I would encourage you to give it some more thought and put off the decision for another year or so.