So my dentist, whom I like very much and generally get along quite well with, was for the most part accepting of my tongue piercing. In fact, the first time I went in to get a filling redone, she did not mention it.
At A Glance Author devany Contact chrmskewlreject@aol.com When It just happened However, all good times do come to an end and she eventually cornered me about the offending foreign object located centrally in my tongue.
"Now Devany, you do realize that tongue ring (yes that is what she called it) is a hazard to your oral health and will cause gum erosion or tooth decay and/or the third and fourth apocalypse (no she did not really say that last part)"
Thankfully, Id like to add, even after having this piercing I have had no infections, gum erosion, bone jaw or teeth problems besides the fact that I neglect to floss.
However, what I appreciated the most was that she said that if I was not planning on removing the piercing, which I most certainly am NOT, to try a more forgiving material on my teeth and gums than surgical steel. Teflon, she mentioned, was biologically inert and safe for when I needed to get my wisdom tooth (I only have one thank god) or any other surgeries or xrays done.
So I toddled down to the nearest tattoo/piercing shop and asked if they had any PFTE also known as Teflon barbells and was met with an icy glare and a total rebuff. As this was the place that I had my tongue pierced, I was quite surprised because they were usually VERY polite to me!
After checking two other shops with much more courteous replies yet still a negative, I hopped on the internet and ordered a 14g teflon barbell. On the web I also read about a new material called Bioplast but as it was new I figured I would wait until I saw feedback on it on BME (If you have any information or experience please feel free to contact me). What interested me was that it was biologically inert yet came in colors! Also, another thing to add about Bioplast was that the site that I checked only sold loose shafts and no balls made out of the material and I do not know whether it was just the site that I checked or the material is not suited for that shape. Again, and feedback would be appreciated.
After putting it in I was glad that I was both placating my dentist and making sure I still had my beloved piercing! I also found that it was much lighter and when I accidentally bit down on it i didn't feel as if I killed my teeth or that my chicken fingers contained a fried chicken head and I was going to be VERY rich at McDonald's expense. However I am worried like I am whenever I am changing jewelery that I will swallow a loose ball or god forbid the whole bar. Ive had nightmares about that but it has yet to happen (knocks hurriedly on wood).
The only problem I found with changing my barbell was the actual act of taking out my existing barbell. My piercer had tightened it because it had fallen out recently and therefore the barbell did NOT want to be removed. In an act of frustration and probably blonde stupidity I took a couple pairs of needle nose pliers, soaped them and boiled them in a pot of distilled water (I have had this piercing for over one and half years so i figured this would be more sterile than i could get my fingers anyways especially with my acrylic nails). I then clamped one of the pliers over the bar and the other plier over the internally threaded ball and twisted away. EUREKA the barbell was capable of being removed! It felt weird having no barbell in my mouth, a feeling akin to finally getting my braces removed in grade school.
After returning the needle nose pliers to the garage tool box, i was free to enjoy my dentist suggested yet still probably begrudged tongue piercing. I am even considering getting another one done! Hopefully I can time the piercing between dentist appointments!
Over all, I highly suggest Teflon barbells for tongues especially if you do any sports. I ride horses so I feel much safer hoping I am less likely to break a tooth (although a mouth guard would be good for sports that do not judge a person's smile unlike horses and figure skating). In addition, I have heard a lot of people getting their wisdom teeth out and losing their piercings at the same time so this or a plastic retainer would solve that problem although I would probably forget to change out the jewelery.