Complications of a tongue barbell:
(1) airway obstruction
(2) interference with eating
(3) trauma to gingiva and palate
(4) bleeding and/or hematoma
(5) edema of the tongue
(6) infection, including Ludwig's angina
(7) increased saliva and/or drooling
(8) interference with radiographs
(9) loss of taste
(10) pain
(11) numbness or paralysis of the tongue
(12) contact allergy to metal (especially nickel)
(13) foreign body reaction and/or fibrosis
(14) dental chipping, fissures or fracture
(15) getting trapped between two teeth
(16) speech impediment
(17) nidus for malignant tumor development
(18) triggering of a sensitive metal detector
(19) limitations on upward job mobility
(20) swallowing the ornament
