Tongue piercings damage teeth by causing chips, cracks, and gum recession.

Is it true that tongue piercings damage teeth by causing chips, cracks, and gum recession?

Yes. A 2025 narrative review and a 2023 systematic review both report that tongue piercings cause dental fractures, tooth chipping, and gingival recession, matching the claim's chips, cracks, and gum recession. A case series and a scoping review add partial supporting findings on dental fractures and irreversible oral tissue damage.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 4 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

S, R., NS, C., MA, A., R, G., CA, J., & FX, A. (2025). Impact of Tongue Piercings on Oral Health: A Narrative Literature Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15090171

Oral and facial piercings: a case series and review of the literature. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.02743.x

M, M., LJ, W., & S, Z. (2023). Oral complications associated with metal ion release from oral piercings: a systematic review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00831-0

G, M., A, P., G, P., L, R., C, P., A, M., AD, I., D, D. V., F, P., F, I., G, D., & AM, I. (2023). Oral Piercing: A Pretty Risk-A Scoping Review of Local and Systemic Complications of This Current Widespread Fashion.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20095744