Many people visualize a barbell as an instrument used to strengthen or tone one’s body. In the realm of body piercing, namely tongue piercing, the barbell has assumed a different meaning — and if not properly maintained, it may weaken the body.

The Aug. 31 issue of Time magazine featured an article detailing the risks of tongue piercing and gave examples of piercings gone awry.

According to the article, a 25-year-old woman from England developed a near-fatal infection four days after her tongue was pierced. Her tongue became enlarged and wedged itself against the roof of her mouth, pushing the epiglottis against the back of her throat and cutting off her oxygen supply. Oral surgeons shoved a tube through her nose in order for her to breathe.

The article said cases like this are extremely rare, but tongue piercing has raised some concern among dentists.

Dr. Marv Freeburg, dentist at the Smile Shop, 137 Lynn Ave., said tongue piercing might be dangerous if a person makes a habit of toying with the stainless steel barbell inserted in the tongue.

Freeburg said one of his patients chipped a molar while biting on her tongue barbell. To fix the tooth, Freeburg said he had to grind it down.

“[Tongue ornamentation] might be dangerous if you had a habit of chewing on it,” he said.

He said he has not seen any patients with infections or inflammations due to tongue piercing.

Louise Smith, co-owner and piercing artist at Lasting Impressions, 114 Welch Ave., said playing with the oral jewelry can wear away tooth enamel.

“If you play with [the jewelry] a lot, you can chip the enamel on your teeth,” Smith said.

Brian Rayski, sophomore in mechanical engineering, has been pleased with his tongue decoration for the eight months he has had it.

“It’s low maintenance,” he said, “and it doesn’t distract me or affect my eating [habits].”

In order to avoid infection, Rayski said he uses mouthwash daily and brushes both balls that screw onto the ends of the barbell.

Olaf Peterson, junior in mechanical engineering, had his tongue pierced last week and has not had any complications besides the normal swelling.

He said the wound healed after four days.

Smith said the tongue normally doubles in size for a few days after the piercing.

She suggests customers put ice in their mouths for up to 48 hours after the piercing and use mouthwash or a saline solution at least once daily.

Bert DuChene, head piercing artist at the Asylum, 120 Hayward Ave., said piercees should refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol for at least two weeks after the piercing. Open-mouth kissing also should be avoided, he said.

DuChene said he has heard of only one case in which a woman got an infection after being pierced at the Asylum.

Smith disagreed with DuChene, saying that those with tongue jewelry need not avoid alcohol consumption and smoking after the piercing.

“Alcohol and smoking will irritate the piercing, but it won’t harm the healing process in any way,” Smith said.

However, Dr. Mark Blaedel, interim director of the Student Health Center, said precautions should be taken with sexual activities.

He said those with new piercings should use a condom when performing oral sex because the tongue is susceptible to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.

Blaedel said the tongue usually takes one to two months to heal.

Of the 20 to 30 patients Blaedel has seen with tongue jewelry since the beginning of summer, he said none have reported any problems with their piercings.

Smith said those expecting to get their tongues pierced must be able to extend their tongues outside of their mouths. If the tongue is too short, piercing is nearly impossible due to the difficulty of inserting clamps and a needle inside the mouth, Smith said.

Both Smith and DuChene said they have turned down piercings due to tongue length.

Freeburg said he hopes tongue piercing is a passing faze among college students.

“I’m hoping that it’s just a fad,” he said.

DuChene said he feels belly buttons and tongues are always going to be the “popular” body parts to pierce. He estimates he pierces between 20 and 40 tongues weekly.

Smith said she pierces from 30 to 50 tongues on a weekly basis.