Tongue piercing is one of the most common, popular, and easy-to-heal piercings out there. Tongue piercings are generally done centrally and vertically through the body of the tongue. Off-centre piercings are also a valid option, as is the much more rare horizontal tongue piercing. Other rare placements include tongue orbitals and other tongue surface piercings. Related piercings include the tongue web piercing.

Piercing the tongue, lips, or cheeks with barbells, rings, and studs may be hip these days, but these mouth adornments can produce undesirable results for the teeth and gums, including increased risk for recessed gums, loose teeth, and even tooth loss, according to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). In fact, the ADA calls oral piercing a public health hazard.