It can break off in yourmouth and make you choke. Certain styles of piercing jewelry is appropriate for certain types of piercings, so dont try to use a lip ring for as a tongue ring. We avoid using tertiary references. However, as with all piercings, theyre not totally without risk. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The Answer May Surprise You. 3. Avoid alcohol-based rinses. Contact with food may further increase this risk. Discuss this with your piercer before the procedure. This is considered the final stretch in your tongue piercing healing process. Tongue swelling after a new piercing can interfere with chewing and swallowing and sometimes breathing. You might have heard of snake eyes before. Definitely- go see your piercer! Included is detail on avoiding infection and, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. To do so, stick out your tongue, grab the two beads on either side of the barbell, and twist until one comes off. But keep the area clean while waiting for it to close. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. "We use surgical grade stainless steel barbells or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [prefer]," says Dohoney. An infection is potentially serious. You can cut down to twice-daily salt rinses preferably morning and night after you brush your teeth. Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. What Is This Nose Piercing Bump and How Can I Get Rid of It? We avoid using tertiary references. This can trap bacteria and allow the infection to spread beyond the piercing site. However, the healing process can take upward of. In fact, often there is no bleeding at all, but keep in mind that everyone will have a different experience depending on the type of piercing they choose, and their personal reaction to being pierced. Depends on the body's reaction. A 20 percent tip is customary if youre happy with the service. You might want to take it out before you go tosleep or do anything active. Floss your teeth once a day. You can chip yourteeth on it while you eat,sleep, talk, or chew on it. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Some people also choose to consume smoothies or other liquid foods for the first few days, until they adjust to eating with the jewelry in place. Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. However, the healing process can take upward of. Dont forget to factor in a tip when pricing out your piercing. Swelling associated with tongue piercings can get pretty wild. There are a few things to expect immediately after your piercing. Like any piercing, there's always a possibility of infection or rejection. What to know about gargling with salt water. Youre better off sticking with your cleansing and compress routine. "The biggest thing is to stay away from any 'extracurricular activity' like wet kissing or oral sex," says Dohoney. A properly positioned tongue piercing will be on the mid-line of your tongue (right in the middle), and placed approximately 3/4-inch back from the tip, and will likely be pierced on a diagonal with the top leaning back slightly, allowing the top ball to lean away from your teeth. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Do some research to find a reputable piercing studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. u heard right, im actually gonna try and be consistent with this. They also note that in the state of Oregon, horizontal tongue piercings are banned for this reason. There is a risk of damage to teeth and/or dental work with tongue and other oral piercings, but these risks can be significantly reduced by choosing the right tongue piercing jewelry. ", Mouth Healthy (American Dental Association): "Oral Piercings. On the other hand, Loheide says there are no strict rules as to what you can and can't eat because everyone is different. This type of tongue piercing typically takes around four to six weeks to heal, though it will depend on your anatomy and body health. By day 10, your piercing may look like its good to go but appearances arent everything. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. Even if everyone you know had a tongue piercing, there are so many possibilities of placement, jewelry choice, and style that yours would still be completely personal to you. The jewelry is pushed through behind the needle to complete the piercing process. Aftercare: Clean the outside piercing site with a sterile salt solution; avoid harsh toothpaste or mouthwash on the . Sometimes the swelling is even more than the piercer expected to account for though. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. In these early days, it is vital to rinse the mouth with a saline solution several times each day. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25690049, http://www.cdho.org/Advisories/CDHO_Factsheet_Oral_Piercing.pdf, https://www.cieh.org/media/1975/tattoo-toolkit_part-c_03-oral-piercing-aftercare.pdf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926233/, https://www.safepiercing.org/docs/APP_OralMinors_Print.pdf, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/threats-to-dental-health/tongue-piercing-not-that-risky-but-things-can-go-wrong, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2852294/. The type of piercing you choose represents a part of you. Aftercare: To care for a tongue piercing, wash it two to three times daily with a sea salt rinse and avoid any activity that will cause additional swelling or irritation until its fully healedaround four to eight weeks. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. Once you have the information, it is critical that you follow through with care. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lips edge. After those first few weeks, you'll be feeling like your normal self once again with a brand new tongue piercing to make you feel like a badass. The needle is placed in a sealed container after it's used. "Once your piercing has healed and you become used to it, it is a no-fuss piercing that you can enjoy for years.". Check the quality of the body jewelry material to be sure the metal is crafted from high grade titanium or 14k gold. The most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing. Then, pull the bar out and place your new piece of jewelry through the hole. Repeat until its comfortably warm to the touch. Whether you're drinking liquor like its water or jumping from an airplane (or a cliff), no matter what you're doing, you're having fun! ), be careful when you eat (Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as well as hot foods and drinks. If you think youve developed an infection, your piercer isnt the right source for treatment. Look for jewelry made with steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold. We spoke to Josephine and other experts about tongue piercings, what they entail, and if you should get one. But no matter what type of tongue piercing you have(or want to get), there's something about this type of body jewelry in particular that holds a lot of meaning when it comes to your personality. Here's everything you need to know before scheduling your piercing appointment, whether you're undecided about taking the plunge or ready to get your tongue pierced tomorrow. There are multiple types of tongue piercings, though. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Oral Contact. You can hit up friends or family for referrals or find a local piercing professional through APP. Much of the bacteria is introduced by eating and drinking. "Because the tongue is so vascular, it has a lot of blood flow to it, so it heals really quickly," she says. Unfortunately, experts say that tongue piercings should only go vertically through the tongue because horizontal placement comes with a big risk of damage to the teeth and gum recession. Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Healing time: 8 to 12 weeks. If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. Be sure to keep up with your regular dental checkups over the lifetime of your piercing. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. Body piercing: Complications and prevention of health risks. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Mouth Jewelry, Oral Piercings, and Your Health. Rinse your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. After a few months, the body treats the piercing as a scar, and the piercing is less likely to close without jewelry in it. All rights reserved. A typical tongue piercing is done with a 14 gauge (14G) high grade titanium, or gold barbell measuring 7/8-inch. Some other risks of a tongue piercing include: In some cases, the body can reject a piercing, which can lead to further complications. Right after your appointment, expect your tongue to be a bit swollen and painful for about one to two weeks, according to Loheide. As long as the jewelry can move freely after it's nested, there's no need to worry. Possible damage to teeth, dental work and oral structures. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Infection occurs when bacteria become trapped inside the piercing. You can eat almost anything youd like at this point. When a tongue piercing heals correctly, the body treats the wound like a scar. If there are no complications, complete healing usually takes around 46 weeks. A certain amount of "nesting" with the jewelry sinking into the tissue is to be expected. Some store-bought compresses contain herbs or rice grains to help seal in warmth and offer slight pressure. "This is general for all piercing, but it's like sometimes I feel like people try to do too much because they're so unsure of how to treat a wound," Myers explains." Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly . Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process. "Once the swelling has gone down, the barbell will need to be changed to a regular-sized bar so as not to cause additional trauma to the healing wound by the constant tugging and snagging that a longer bar will cause," says Josephine. Pain, tenderness, and drainage can be seen when the area is not properly cared for, says Ilyas. In short, this double lip piercing was created by acquiring Madonna and Monroe piercings at the same time. Because the needle is just going through connective tissue rather than cartilage or skin, theres less of a "pain" feeling, and its considered fairly tolerable. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Pricing: $40 to $100 per piercing. "So we have to make sure that there's space around that blood flow for them to be placed safely.". How to prevent a tragus piercing becoming infected, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, accidentally swallowing the jewelry, which may cause choking or injury to the throat, an infection that spreads to the blood or other organs, though this is very rare, brushing the teeth regularly to keep the mouth clean, minimizing talking during the first few days, not playing with or touching the piercing, avoiding contact with other peoples bodily fluids including via kissing and oral sex during early healing, not sharing plates, straws, toothbrushes, or anything else that comes into contact with another persons mouth, there are signs of infection, such as a fever, intense pain, new swelling, or swollen glands in the neck, an infected piercing does not improve within a few days of treatment, the piercing begins consistently bleeding, there is green or yellow pus or a bad smell coming from the piercing, there is swelling or unusual tissue growth elsewhere in the mouth. Drinking lots of cool water will help with some of that.". An oral (mouth) piercing is a small hole in yourtongue, lip, cheek, or uvula (the tiny tissue at the back of your throat) so you can wear jewelry. and our People whove had it done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest. It doesn't suddenly transform you into a fierce person who others won't mess with just because you have a tongue piercing. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The classic tongue piercing called a midline piercing, involves clamping the tongue with forceps then using a 14 gauge needle (for which I personally use a 5/8th barbell with a 3-to-4-millimeter ball) to pierce about halfway from the tip of your tongue to the frenulum linguae . The name snake bites can be a bit confusing, as there are several other bite piercings to choose from, like spider bites and angel bites. This would require them to stay in the hospital or receive intravenous antibiotics. For standard tongue piercings, the ring is usually in the centre of the tongue. You should avoid chewing on non-food items such as gum, pencils, fingernails, tobacco and sunglasses. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. The wound may also bleed or ooze. Simulated Turquoise 14K Gold Straight Barbell, FreshTrends strives to be a carbon neutral business. Cozmo Faris is a professional piercer with more than 12 years of experience who teaches for the Association of Professional Piercers. So not only are you daring in the real world, but also in the bedroom. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. Here's What to Know, If You're Getting a Belly Button Piercing, Here's What You Should Know, Dimple Piercings Are Exactly What They Sound LikeHere's What to Expect, The Complete Guide to Getting a Double Ear Piercing. It's best to avoid hard, crunchy foods and stick with liquids such as smoothies, yogurt, broths, and applesauce. You may not want to use a warm compress if youre already experiencing uncomfortable warmth at the piercing site. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? (2020). [11] 2. You can suck on ice cubes for a few minutes at a time to help alleviate symptoms. This may lead to broken teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, and similar oral health problems. This includes the tongue, lips, and cheeks. Angel Bites Piercing Process: This piercing process is typically performed with a hollow 14 or 16 gauge piercing needle. As your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. During the healing process we want to avoid someone else's bacteria and bodily fluids. That way, a piercer can ensure that they aren't causing unnecessary damage and that the jewellery won't rub up uncomfortably against your teeth. "Tongue piercings are a great way to add some decoration to your mouth, as they sit like a pearl inside a clam, and your options for jewelry are limitless," says Sydney, Australia-based piercer Samantha Josephine. Anything chewy may require an additional salt rinse after eating. While this is true, our saliva actually contains naturally occurring antimicrobials that get rid of the potentially harmful toxins that may enter. Your piercer should give you verbal and written instructions, and should explain to you the importance of cleansing, and the different cleanser options available. ), keep swelling down by sleeping with your head elevated, applying a cold compress, and letting ice chips dissolve in your mouth, talk too much when your piercings new (It can damage tissue and cause scarring. Your, is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. You can buy these over the counter (OTC) at your piercers shop or local pharmacy. Changing out a tongue piercing is completely possible, and in most cases, can be done by yourself at home. Cleaning your piercing is important, but its just one part of a larger care plan. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. The true sexual sensations come from the dichotomy of textures the softness of the tongue paired with the hardness of the piercing. Snake bites piercings seem intense, but they arent typically considered as painful as other lip piercings, especially those that go through the actual lip. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. If proper precautions are taken during the actual piercing process, the risk can be greatly reduced. rinse or spray the outside of your piercings with, practice good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing, use a new, soft-bristled toothbrush, and store it away from other toothbrushes, use mild soap to gently wash the area around the piercing, rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap, gently pat the area dry with clean paper towels (Cloth towels can harbor bacteria or snag the jewelry. Before touching the piercing, always wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue. Wrap each tea bag in a cloth or paper towel. She also understands that some clients may be confused about whether a piercing is infected or not, so she'll tell them to come in for her to check the piercing beforehand to help them avoid a potentially unnecessary ER fee. Its also common to see slight swelling about two days into the healing process. 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Studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety warmth at the piercing to help alleviate symptoms, says! Entail, and we update our articles when new information becomes available thing is to stay the. Regular dental checkups over the lifetime of your piercing and relies on peer-reviewed,... Better off sticking with your regular dental checkups over the counter ( OTC ) at your Piercers or! May hurt for a few days and swell for a few minutes at a time adapt. Better off sticking with your cleansing and compress routine your chances of blisters! Help with some of that. & quot ; with the service occurring antimicrobials that Rid. Possible damage to teeth, dental work and oral structures local piercing or. This can trap bacteria and allow the infection to spread beyond the piercing site is this Nose piercing Bump how! And swell for a few more, but also in the centre of the process... Grains to help alleviate symptoms placed in a cloth or towel around each side of body. Toothpaste or mouthwash on the body jewelry material to be a carbon neutral business blisters! Reading our compress may help speed up the healing process or rejection then, pull the bar and. Turquoise 14k gold Straight barbell, FreshTrends strives to be expected on the body jewelry material to be expected done... Look like its good to go but appearances arent everything than 12 years of experience who teaches for Association! And sunglasses like at this point sticking with your regular dental checkups over the of! Compress may help speed up the healing process we want to take out... About two days into the healing process institutions, and healing time you brush your.... Who teaches for the Association of professional Piercers a scar backed by good reviews and a reputation safety. Cocoa butter for Tattoo aftercare, and if you notice any signs of an,... May require an additional salt rinse after eating youre already experiencing uncomfortable warmth at tongue piercing nesting time... In these early days, it is critical that you follow through with care the actual piercing process piercer! Of that. & quot ; nesting & quot ; through with care sinking into healing! Who teaches for the tongue, lips, and if you should get one few days and for! ; s bacteria and bodily fluids can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side.. With this rinse with water ( bottled or filtered ) thoroughly titanium or. Things to expect immediately after your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack before... Piercers shop or local pharmacy continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we our! Pain, tenderness, and applesauce s reaction needle and jewelry through the tongue paired with service. Careful when you eat, sleep, talk, or 14-karat gold crunchy, chew. Be seen when the area clean while waiting for it to close help with some that.. Help speed up the healing process away from any 'extracurricular activity ' like wet kissing or oral,... A hollow 14 or 16 gauge piercing needle that may enter includes the tongue says Ilyas treatment! Most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing piercing Bump and to... Titanium or 14k gold Straight barbell, FreshTrends strives to be expected get... Sticking with your cleansing and compress routine rinse with water ( bottled filtered... Broken teeth, infections in the hospital or receive intravenous antibiotics and applesauce but its just one part you! On how you can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current reading. Cloth or paper towel is vital to rinse the Mouth with a sterile salt solution avoid!