"Tongue piercing is a relatively simple procedure if the technician has the knowledge and the correct tools" (Monahan, Roger 1). Piercing is not dangerous as long as you keep everything clean and sterile. "The tongue is the quickest-healing part of the body, and one of the least painful to pierce," stated piercing artist Joe J. Infection is one of the biggest problems in piercing but when done correctly, piercing is safe and harmless. Few tongue piercings suffer from infections because the tongue has a tinfoil-thickness of antibiotic slime known as lingual antimicrobial peptide, or LAP. When the tongue has a sore or is pierced, more LAP is produced. "With a better understanding, new techniques, and more stringent protection of the client, piercings, in general, have a much higher rate of success than in the past" (Monohan, Roger 1).

Piercing is not only safe and simple but it has been around for centuries. Almost every culture through history has enhanced their appearance by

"Piercing promotes multicultural appreciation and understanding between different cultures," (Robinson, Karen R. 2). Piercing is also a safe and harmless way for a person to express themselves. Some people express themselves through clothes and accessories, others choose body piercing. At the present time, I have seven earrings in my ear and I intend to add a few more over Christmas break. To me, piercing is like an addiction, but safer than any drug. Nowadays, not only does body piercing symbolize individuality, but society accepts it. I hope this essay has convinced you to open your mind to tongue piercing.

1. Cecilia and Denise. "Interchange on Piercing." (1996): 10 pages. Online. Internet. 12 Dec. 1998

7. Monahan, Roger. "Piercing Information." Blackstar (1998): 2 pages. Online. Internet. 13 Dec 1998

6. Monahan, Roger. "Piercing Myths." Blackstar (1998): 3 pages. Online. Internet. 3 Dec. 1998

2. "High School Piercing In The 90s." Radford Complex Student Global News Network (1998): 1 page. Online. Internet. 6 Dec. 1998

5. Robinson, Karen R. "Body Piercing: A Quick Cure to Mid-life Cris

Some common words found in the essay are:
Monohan Roger, Cecilia Denise, Robinson Karen, Online Internet, Joe Infection, , Egyptian Macedonian, Howard Dylan, Monahan Roger, School Piercings, dec 1998, online internet, pages online, pages online internet, body piercing, roger 1, piercing safe, monohan roger 1, monohan roger, 3 pages online, robinson karen, 2 pages, monahan roger, roger 1 piercing, 2 pages online,
Approximate Word count = 747
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)