TONGUE-PIERCING TERROR: DROOL, DENTAL DAMAGE AND DEATH

TONGUE-PIERCING TERROR: DROOL, DENTAL DAMAGE AND DEATH

CHICAGO (Wireless Flash) -- The body piercing trend may be on its way out -- but tongue piercings are causing more pain than ever for dentists. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, dentists are seeing more patients with holes in their tongues than ever before. A spokesman says the tongue barbells are a nightmare for dentists because they're causing an epidemic of chipped teeth, irritated gums and infections. Some tongues get so infected they swell up and cut off breathing, which could lead to death. Dentists say the best way to prevent the problems is to take out the barbell and let the hole close up naturally.