Tongue piercing: a concern for the dentist

"Body art" is a relatively recent fashion in the western world, but appears to be gaining in popularity. It involves tattooing, scarification, and the wearing of jewelry in unconventional places on the body. This article discusses one form of "body art"--tongue piercing. The presence of metal jewelry in the oral cavity presents oral hygiene problems, as well as the risk of the development of undesirable sequelae. It may become the responsibility of the dentist to advise the patient on the care and maintenance of this jewelry, and to treat complications.