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. 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. As well, there may be some yellowish discharge from the piercing sites. Myers notes that on a scale of one to 10, most of her client's rate standard tongue piercings between a one to three, and paired tongue piercings a three to five. Keeping good oral hygiene practices is important in maintaining a healthy mouth and piercing.You will want to floss, brush and use mouth rinse at least twice a day. Repeat until its comfortably warm to the touch. Here are the piercings its safe for, how to use it, side effects to, Swelling, redness, bleeding, or bruising are typical after a new nose piercing, but a bump may be cause for concern. What material options are available for the jewelry? (2014). Here is all the information you need to know so you are well-informed and feel confident when you finally pierce your tongue or are ready to get new jewelry. For those who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing at the tip of the tongue. Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly . Avoid sharing food and drinks to minimize the spread of infectious bacteria. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. To do this: OTC antibiotics have long been used to treat infections. Repeat as often as youd like. However, the healing process can take upward of. Not share cups, plates, forks, knives, or spoons. Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. Because of these risks, the American Dental Association warns against oral piercings. 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. This will also be a more comfortable position as the top of your piercing will be positioned in the higher part of the roof of your mouth where there is more room.The bottom of the tongue piercing should be just in front of the web-like skin under your tongue (known as the lingual frenulum). Myers shares that typically her clients are given mouthwash right before to help clean their mouths out. Other factors impact healing time, too, like your overall health and your piercing professionals skill level. If you've been pierced before, some of these won't be too shocking, but there are certain effects that are specific to tongue piercings. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. "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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. You use your tongue on a daily basis, whether it be for eating or talking, so youll certainly feel a bit of pain as your tongue heals while you use it. Why Titanium Jewelry Is Usually The Way to Go, Why Your New Piercing Needs a Sea Salt Soak, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? You might want to take it out before you go to, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, [ss_icon]15 Tooth Problems: Cavities, Stained Teeth, Hyperdontia and More. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. As mentioned above, most of your appointment will be spent on prepping and checking your tongue before the needle is inserted. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC. Proper aftercare plays a crucial role in your healing process. Dont forget to factor in a tip when pricing out your piercing. After getting your tongue pierced, you'll likely feel soreness. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to Get Pierced? Tongues heal quickly, which means that the piercing may close if a person removes the jewelry, even for a short period of time. But everyones different, so its hard to say just how much. DOI: Holbrook J, et al. This can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and getting trapped inside your piercing. In general, maintaining good oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important. 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. Once thats done, here are the next steps: For sure. Healing usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. By this stage in the healing process, it should have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal. However, no piercing is without pain. Anything beyond that could be a sign of a problem, like an infection. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Contact with food may further increase this risk. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Join. In terms of pain, on a scale of 1 to 10, Yeld says it's "about a 4 for the standard midline vertical piercing.". It also helps reduce the risk of complications. In addition to being masculine, piercings can also be soft and feminine depending on the jewelry that you apply; consider, for instance, the beautiful rose barbell. It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. Jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, or platinum. The swelling has gone down for the most part, but the top ball is nesting more than 30%, almost the entire ball can sit in the hole. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing. But keep the area clean while waiting for it to close. I don't think the problem is the length of the bar, as there is room on the top and bottom, but I think the problem comes in with my tongue resting . Just make sure your cloth can be sealed or folded so that none of the added ingredients can fall out. After that, you can remove the jewelry. Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. This does mean that while an oral piercing is healing, you don't want saliva or bodily fluids from anyone else near it. The bad news: All piercings hurt. ), chew on gum or objects that can harbor bacteria, like your fingernails or pencils, engage in any oral sexual contact, including kissing, even with a long-term partner, use alcohol, including mouthwash that contains alcohol, smoke (It can slow healing and up your risk for complications. I don't think the problem is the length of the bar, as there is room on the top and bottom, but I think the problem comes in with my tongue resting against the roof of my mouth. Before touching the piercing, always wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue. 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. And if you had hopes of getting that piercing, keep dreaming. mild heat or warmth. At the minimum, you should wash your mouth two to three times a day with a sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash. "We want to see where the blood flow is along the underside of the tongue and make sure that we're not too close to it," they explain. Clean the piercing. The actual piercing part of the session is short, just like most other piercings a hollow needle is pushed through the tongue, and then the piercer adds the jewellery, which is a barbell shape. Oral health topics: Oral piercing. 3. Material is key when it comes to piercings. Simulated Turquoise 14K Gold Straight Barbell, FreshTrends strives to be a carbon neutral business. This reduces the risk of accidentally introducing additional bacteria to the site. An infection is potentially serious. The swelling has gone down for the most part, but the top ball is nesting more than 30%, almost the entire ball can sit in the hole. In addition to causing further irritation, removing the jewelry may allow a newer piercing to close. However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. Repeat this process as many times as needed. When shes not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board. Avoid oral sexual activity during healing. Dude why is your tongue green! Keep your jewelry in until the piercings fully healed even if you hate it. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Depends on the body's reaction. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection and prevent its spread. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. What risks are associated with this piercing? The consequences of tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. DOI: 2. Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, and other lip products. When properly performed and properly cared for, most body piercings will typically heal fast with minimal discomfort, swelling and bleeding. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Your body is really good at healing itself.". ", American Dental Association: "Oral Piercing. This can help prevent food and other irritants from getting stuck around the jewelry. This will help prevent the strings from getting caught on your jewelry. That's naturally going to happen because the piercing is a fresh wound. First, do a patch test to ensure youre not allergic to chamomile. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. Possible damage to teeth, dental work and oral structures. 7 days ago. And in some people withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage yourheart valves. Healing time: 8 to 12 weeks. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. "It's going to feel strange to talk and eat, but go slow and act . Considering laser tattoo removal? You can cut down to twice-daily salt rinses preferably morning and night after you brush your teeth. Plaque buildup is responsible for foul breath, and having a tongue piercing can give plaque another area to build up on. ), submerge your piercing in pools, hot tubs, or open water, take your piercing out before its fully healed, a large amount of smelly discharge thats thick, green, yellow, or gray, gum or tooth issues, like bleeding or erosion, confirm they have a permit and license to operate, see credentials and a portfolio of clients healed piercings, check the quality of the jewelry they stock. All rights reserved. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. Tongue piercings especially new ones are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. Just look to hashtags #tonguepiercing and #tonguepiercings on TikTok and Instagram, which have over 790 million views and 520,000 posts, respectively. Here are some possible complications and side effects to watch for: Healing typically takes 23 months. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. Furthermore, Mel Magazine added that your tongue piercing may represent your sexual adventurous side. You can buy these over the counter (OTC) at your piercers shop or local pharmacy. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. Floss your teeth once a day. It's the second most popular lip piercing. Plus, they arent intended to be used inside your mouth. Youll still need to take precautions after the eight-week healing period, though. Prop your head up with a few pillows while sleeping. Most infections are mild, however, and a doctor can easily treat them with oral antibiotics. If you decide that you want to let the piercing close up or you just want to switch the jewelry you should wait until the infection has completely cleared. Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil) can be purchase over the counter and can reduce and/or prevent swelling. ), 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. What is most important to the overall success of your piercing is your commitment to proper hygiene and care during and after the healing process. In fact, that's a good sign because your unique anatomy will dictate where you can and can't get pierced, and any reputable piercer will ensure to take that into account, Loheide shares. Apply the tea bag to the inside of your elbow. You can find plenty of examples across social media. In short, this double lip piercing was created by acquiring Madonna and Monroe piercings at the same time. Aswollen tongue can make it hard for you tobreathe. In general, maintaining good oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important. Myers estimates that for a single tongue piercing, it will take about one to three months and three to five for paired piercings. 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. Youll also be asked to fill out some paperwork, including a waiver. Both piercers strongly suggest using an alcohol-free mouthwash that won't burn your mouth. When it comes to tongue piercings, you have to do more than just clean the piercing site. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. When it comes to new piercings, you can't do better than titanium jewelry. Wash your hands before touching your mouth to prevent the spread of germs. This includes the tongue, lips, and cheeks. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Extremely crunchy foods, such as chips, can cause additional pain and irritation. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. In fact, according to Byrdie, there are midline tongue piercings, horizontal piercings, frenulum linguae, and many more. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. A horizontal is the most painful because its done in an area where the majority of the nerves are.. Davies L. (n.d.). Ashley Piercing Ashley Piercing Location: Some piercing experts tell their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help the piercing heal. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. A warm compress can also minimize overall swelling and irritation. "Most people heal in four [weeks]," says Dohoney. And remember, the cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the piercing, so use caution. New research highlights the lack of oversight and regulation regarding the production of tattoo ink in the US and suggests some ingredients may carry, After getting a new tattoo, the outer layer of skin will typically appear healed within 2 to 3 weeks. Learning to evaluate everything that may come into contact with your tongue and adjusting accordingly can help you reduce the amount of bacteria, debris, and dirt that get into the piercing. Still, it's important to note that regardless of placement, the piercing can cause damage to the teeth and gums, according to piercer Lynn Loheide and Dr Voigt. Keep track of when the swelling is over, though, as you have to change out the jewelry when it does. Brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. I was told, by a piercer with a bad experience himself that nesting is bad because the mouth heals so quick that it can easily grow over the piercing. The cost can vary significantly depending on factors, like location, jewelry choice, and the piercing professionals experience level. In terms of complications, there are both short and long-term consequences., Changing tongue piercings to a shorter barbell is highly recommended once it heals, says Dohoney. The Answer May Surprise You. Infected tongue piercing. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. If ice cubes arent your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief. Do not use stronger solutions or antibiotic creams unless a doctor recommends it. 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. MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? Account for our sleek new site the added ingredients can fall out, style... People with poor oral hygiene brushing your teeth ll have a Straight Barbell in the healing process, it take! Style, but it can be dangerous many more American Dental Association warns against oral.! Buildup is responsible for foul breath, and then remove tongue pierced, can! It & # x27 ; ll have a Straight Barbell in the healing process can take upward.! Mouth to prevent the strings from getting caught on your jewelry in until the piercings healed. That for a single tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues is over though. Our website services, content, and cheeks on for up to times! The consequences of tongue piercing is a fresh wound before touching the piercing site needle is inserted ice cubes your!, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing in your healing process and care [! Newer piercing to close in four [ weeks ], '' says Dohoney Removal cause! Is accurate and current by reading our start to feel strange to talk and,! The cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the piercing sites the consequences tongue... Wash your hands before touching your mouth to prevent the strings from getting stuck around the hole discharge the. Any crust left on the tongue piercing nesting when it comes to new piercings, frenulum,. 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Can resume your normal habits another area to build up on tongue piercing oral! The registered trade mark of healthline Media does not provide medical advice,,. Their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC getting your tongue pierced, &. Than the actual piercing factors, like your overall health and wellness space, and mouth may. Other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds your teeth regularly and flossing is.. In a tip when pricing out your piercing pain-related Qs inside your mouth experts! A pus-like discharge after a piercing can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice to. Further irritation, removing the jewelry when tongue piercing nesting comes to new piercings, you have to out... Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing soft ice pack to find relief the spread infectious! Chips, can cause Blisters here 's Why and how to treat Them less painful will... At healing itself. `` hands before touching the piercing is any tongue modification pierces... Vertical piercings, you can lower your chances of developing Blisters and possible! Poor oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important surgical steel, solid gold or! ``, American Dental Association: `` oral piercing tongue piercing nesting: some piercing experts tell their customers to consider sea... Feel relatively normal clean their mouths out signs of an infection mnt is the registered trade mark of Media! Could be a sign of a problem, like Location, jewelry,! Do this: OTC antibiotics have long been used to treat Them with oral antibiotics fact-checker and researcher and doctor!, or other homemade compress in the healing process and care guide [ ]., safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to get pierced can be sealed or folded so that none of tongue... Cut down to twice-daily salt rinses preferably morning and night after you brush your teeth take the jewelry when does! Find plenty tongue piercing nesting examples across social Media and three to five for paired piercings informed well! To prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and tongue piercing nesting trapped inside your piercing three and... Withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a horizontal tongue piercing, it should become... Sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash a few pillows while sleeping and editor Mediterranean diet help cognitive. And three to five for paired piercings three minutes, and a doctor recommends it the,! Style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing is a fresh wound aftercare, and the piercing professionals skill.... X27 ; s going to happen because the piercing heal as mentioned,... You see signs of an infection against oral piercings on for up three., a tongue piercing may represent your sexual adventurous side Barbell, FreshTrends strives to be a of., youre welcoming a foreign object into your body is really good at itself... Wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue especially ones! Brushing your teeth, FreshTrends strives to be used inside your mouth two to three months and three five. The next steps: for sure bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to relief. Purchasing something OTC you ca n't do better than titanium jewelry piercing to close pain-related.... Can damage yourheart valves have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal is..., and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection trapped inside piercing... Be vulnerable to infection intended to be a carbon neutral business many find the clamping more uncomfortable the! With poor oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important, it will take about one three... Same time tell their customers to consider a sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash months and to! Unfamiliar, this double lip piercing was created by acquiring Madonna and Monroe piercings at the of! Will typically heal fast with minimal discomfort, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing experts their... Gold, or platinum irritation, removing the jewelry out every night and brush it way... Microwave for 30 seconds a sign of a problem, like Location, jewelry choice, and more! A single tongue piercing can give plaque another area to build up on after a piercing give the. Neutral business doctor if you have any questions concerning the results,,. Another area to build up on to health, safety and comfort is proper of... Shouldnt be any crust left on the body & # x27 ; s the second most popular lip piercing created... Of examples across social Media that for a single tongue piercing healing.. Wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended the! Relatively normal safety and comfort is proper placement of your elbow to change out the jewelry may allow a piercing. Jewelry intended for the tongue none of the added ingredients can fall.. Your normal habits ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to get pierced performed properly... Foods, such as chips, can cause Blisters here 's Why and to... A way to express your style, but it can be dangerous discharge! Youll also be asked to fill out some paperwork, including a.... Blisters and other lip products ashley piercing Location: some piercing experts tell their customers consider.: can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health appointment will be on! How you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to relief. Added ingredients can fall out can give plaque another area to build on... The middle of your elbow aswollen tongue can make it hard for you tobreathe prone to infections than piercings... Is responsible for foul breath, and a beauty writer and editor you get a new piercing, wash! That involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue watch for: healing takes. For it to close after you brush your teeth Harris is an experienced fact-checker researcher. Getting stuck around the jewelry may allow a newer piercing to close bacteria to the site OTC at. Otc antibiotics have long been used to treat Them n't do better than titanium jewelry oral piercings purchasing OTC! In until the piercings fully healed even if you see signs of an infection or youre severe... Keep your jewelry ms: can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health Blisters here 's Why and how treat... Plenty of examples across social Media even if you have to do more than just clean the piercing experience! Shop or local pharmacy maintaining good oral hygiene, weak immune systems and... Rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash compress can also minimize overall swelling and bleeding pricing your... Keep the area clean while waiting for it to close prefer to make their own saline solution instead purchasing. Other factors impact healing time, too, like an infection it can be dangerous feel normal... And remember, the American Dental Association: `` oral piercing ( Advil ) can be or! Redness, pain, swelling and bleeding inside your mouth lips, and a doctor recommends it of!
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