When you decide to pierce your tongue, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.
Initially upon getting your tongue pierced, you can expect swelling. This swelling can be slight or quite significant and can last up to 5 days. This is quite normal and will occur almost every time.
Your tongue is covered with bacteria. This bacteria can enter your bloodstream through the newly opened wound on your tongue. The result can be an infection that can cause pus to ooze into your mouth and throat.
Your tongue is a muscle that contains many blood vessels and nerves. If your piercing is done by someone that is not familiar with the anatomy of the tongue, a vein can accidentally be pierced and you can expect heavy bleeding. In addition, a nerve can also be severed resulting in permanent numbness.
Not only is the actual piercing problematic, but so is the jewelry that is placed in your mouth. Having a hard metal ball constantly hitting your tooth structure or consistently being bitten can cause scratches, fractures, chips and broken teeth.
If you have considered all the factors above and still have decided to pierce your tongue, please make sure that you have taken the proper precautions such as, making sure the shop is clean and that the piercer is properly trained.