• Tongue and lip piercing can cause chipped teeth, cause recessed gums and/or nerve damage
• Piercing in the mouth creates an open wound allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
• Can also cause Fatal infections such as Ludwig’s angina, an infection of the floor of the mouth which causes swelling, blocking the airway
• Another serious risk is endocarditis, an infection of the heart
• Most body piercers are unlicensed and unregulated and are not trained in medical emergencies. Unclean piercing equipment can cause other infections such as Hepatitis.