This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. Oral piercings risks & safety measures. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. Always opt for a nickel-free metal that will keep it happy and healthy. Severe pain, long-term swelling, trouble talking, and eating difficulties are not normal, but they are treatable. Right after your appointment, expect your tongue to be a bit swollen and painful for about one to two weeks, according to Loheide. Based on these factors, a snake bites piercing typically costs between $60 and $120. Matheron E, et al. People with weak immune systems due to diabetes, cancer, HIV, and some medications may need longer to heal and can also be more vulnerable to infection. Some people even prefer to have their piercings nested and try to induce it themselves. Next, theyll push a needle through the inside of your lip. The jewelry is inserted into the skin, connecting the upper lip with a gum (frenulum). What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. A little bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue now has a hole in it. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. Other factors impact healing time, too, like your overall health and your piercing professionals skill level. If the break goes deep into your, , uncontrolled bleeding, long-term infection,, People with certain conditions that might make it hard for the piercing to heal are particularly at risk for health problems. 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. 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. What's Really in Tattoo Ink? After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. The Whole Truth - Tongue Piercing PiercingWithScott 99.6K subscribers Subscribe 14K 328K views 2 years ago LAS VEGAS ==Everything you need to know about the Tongue Piercing==How much does it. Keep your jewelry in until the piercings fully healed even if you hate it. Ultimately, try to not go overboard with your piercing aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation. "After about a week, the swelling will go down, and then the rest of the healing process is pretty easy," they share. Your piercing professional will clean the area again. You can make your own warm compress by sticking a damp towel or other cloth-based item in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Watch out for signs of infection such as: American Academy of General Dentistry: "What Is an Oral Piercing? A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lip's edge. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. 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. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. The wound may also bleed or ooze. "You need to understand that going into it, be okay with that risk, and also know what you have to do to minimize that risk," Loheide shares. Do tongue piercings make your breath smell? How do you treat an infected belly button piercing? 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. You can suck on ice cubes for a few minutes at a time to help alleviate symptoms. (2011). Face piercing (body art): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability. Yes, you're absolutely right. "So we have to make sure that there's space around that blood flow for them to be placed safely.". Pain level: "I would rate mine on the pain scale as a 3/10," says Stubbs. Youll need to be careful with the types of foods that you eat, as these can get stuck around the jewelry and make you uncomfortable. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. Taking care of your new oral piercing. Oral piercings are any piercings that are attached to, or in the mouth. See your piercing professional or a healthcare professional if you notice any of these: Wait until the piercings completely healed to change your jewelry. While the tongue may seem like a sensitive spot to pierce, thanks to its responsiveness to tastes and touch, its actually a relatively low-pain placement choice. We will send you an email to reset your password. To avoid this, regularly clean your tongue piercing with an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse. Srivastava JK, et al. Oral health topics: Oral piercing. Why Titanium Jewelry Is Usually The Way to Go, Why Your New Piercing Needs a Sea Salt Soak, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? Josephine also recommends avoiding dairy, as it leaves a thick film on the tongue that may encourage bacterial growth. Proper aftercare techniques are crucial to the outcome of your tongue piercing. Bumps are. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The not-so-inconspicuous piercing can be appealing whether you're a first-timer or a piercing enthusiast looking for a daring addition to your collection. All rights reserved. You can also check out our Piercing Aftercare instructions and find a great selection of piercing care products. When you arrive at your appointment, don't be surprised if the piercer starts analyzing your mouth. Like any piercing, the price of a tongue piercing will vary depending on your specific circumstancesthat includes your location, the shop/piercer you choose, the exact piercing, and more. Rings are just that: rings that wrap around the lip. (n.d.). If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Oral cleansers that contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and other antibacterial ingredients can also harm healthy skin cells and slow down the healing process. You should also avoid peppers, chili powder, and other spices. 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). Changing out a tongue piercing is completely possible, and in most cases, can be done by yourself at home. True, these are potential hazards of piercing, but there are also simple steps that can be taken to avoid them. The numbing effects may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in a lot of pain. A few temporary lifestyle changes can help prevent dental problems as a result of a tongue piercing. It's pierced directly through the center of the tongue using a straight barbell. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. To do so, stick out your tongue, grab the two beads on either side of the barbell, and twist until one comes off. Avoid alcohol-based rinses. Infection occurs when bacteria become trapped inside the piercing. Cleaning your piercing is important, but its just one part of a larger care plan. 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. Refresh the tea bags with warm water as needed. What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? 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. Substances like aspirin, caffeine and alcohol can increase swelling, bleeding and pain; you should avoid them during the healing process. As long as the jewelry can move freely after it's nested, there's no need to worry. They advise avoiding toothpaste with whitening ingredients. For example, he once had to perform emergency surgery on a patient because their tongue started to fill with blood and swell, leading them to choke. 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. "It'll be two to three times the size, turning almost green or white, [with puss]." Some other strategies that can speed healing include: Do not try to treat an infected piercing at home. However, the advice of a piercer is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor. If you get a tongue piercing, the piercer will start with a larger "barbell" to give your tongue room to heal as it swells. Body piercing troubleshooting for you and your healthcare professional. What Jewelry Material Is Used for a Tongue Piercing? and our However, the healing process can take upward of. 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. She has worked in digital media for over five years and is an expert on a range of topics, including tattoos, piercings, and culture. This type of tongue piercing typically takes around four to six weeks to heal, though it will depend on your anatomy and body health. Once your tongue piercing has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene. Pain, tenderness, and drainage can be seen when the area is not properly cared for, says Ilyas. This may last until the tenth day or so, but it will eventually go down. And in some people withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage yourheart valves. Myers suggests avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid irritation. Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Wrap the compress in either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel. The needle is placed in a sealed container after it's used. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to Get Pierced? This would require them to stay in the hospital or receive intravenous antibiotics. Here's what to expect. Also, ensure your foods are coldhot foods can cause irritation. You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. Doing so will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue and may lead to further complications. Bone, Muscle and Joint Team. However, no piercing is without pain. 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 . And remember, the cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the piercing, so use caution. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. Yourmouth is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. DOI: 2. Nesting is a normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and teeth from getting scraped at or damaged by the jewelry. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Keeping your head elevated at night can reduce swelling of your body piercing. A tongue piercing officially takes between six and eight weeks to completely heal. When shopping for new jewelry, you need to know what your piercing's size is. You may find it easier to eat, but you should still stick with soft foods at this point. If the piercing is new, irritation is normal. Tongue piercing not that risky, but things can go wrong. 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/. Loheide likes Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse because it doesn't taste as bad as some alcohol-free mouthwashes do, it's affordable, and can be found in most drug stores. Belly button piercings have a higher risk because they are difficult to, A look at infected tragus piercings, a condition where a small part of the ear develops an infection. 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 . (2014). "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. 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. Youll still need to take precautions after the eight-week healing period, though. The most significant risk associated with a tongue piercing is that the wound will become infected shortly after the piercing. However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. 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. A surface piercingalso the least common type of tongue piercingis a horizontal piercing with a curved barbell. "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. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. Much of this depends on where your tongue piercing is placed, as well as how many new piercings you have. There have been few studies into how common tongue piercing infections are, but the warm, moist site of the piercing makes it a prime spot for bacteria to grow. Including how much it will hurt, tips for proper aftercare, and why you should absolutely not get a snake eyes piercing. Suck on ice or apply a cold compress | Cold compress. It probably needs a longer bar or different kind of top. A typical tongue piercing is done with a 14 gauge (14G) high grade titanium, or gold barbell measuring 7/8-inch. 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. Recommended Jewelry: Flat back labret lip rings. For one, dont smoke or use a straw during the healing process, because the motion will drastically increase swellingas will the irritation from salty, spicy, hot, or sour foods. 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. ), 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. Our tongue rings are nickel-free 14k gold and the bar is internally threaded, which means that the threading is on the ball not the barbell, making it easier to pass through the piercing. I got my tongue pierced 8 days ago. All rights reserved. Your piercer should give you verbal and written instructions, and should explain to you the importance of cleansing, and the different cleanser options available. "It's going to feel strange to talk and eat, but go slow and act . Material is key when it comes to piercings. Davies L. (n.d.). Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. Any symptoms beyond this may be a sign of infection or a poor piercing job. Then, pull the bar out and place your new piece of jewelry through the hole. Tongues heal quickly, which means that the piercing may close if a person removes the jewelry, even for a short period of time. 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. Watch what you eat and drink until its fully healed, uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings, safepiercing.org/docs/APP_Troubleshooting_Print.pdf, health.clevelandclinic.org/should-you-use-ice-or-heat-for-pain-infographic/, authoritytattoo.com/infected-tongue-piercing/, goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/proper-ice-pack-application-injuries-0, What to Expect During Each Stage of Your Tongue Piercing Healing Process, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Piercing Aftercare, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC. After that, you can remove the jewelry. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. You might have heard of snake eyes before. Erich P. Voigt, MD, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor and director of General Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at NYU Langone Health, notes that pus, severe tongue swelling, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and difficult breathing indicate that it's time to seek out a medical professional. On the other hand, Loheide says to expect it to take about three to five months to be fully healed. ), be careful when you eat (Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as well as hot foods and drinks. French kissing, performing oral sex, and engaging in other sexual activity can also transfer bacteria. A common consideration of aftercare of oral piercings is oral contact with others. 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. At the minimum, you should wash your mouth two to three times a day with a sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash. See your piercer if your symptoms dont improve within two to three days, or if they worsen. Just make sure your cloth can be sealed or folded so that none of the added ingredients can fall out. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Angel Bites Piercing Process: This piercing process is typically performed with a hollow 14 or 16 gauge piercing needle. Before getting a tongue ring, it is important that you understand the risks associated with piercing and the safety measures you can take to avoid them. Any symptoms beyond this may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in lot... Process can take upward of. `` bit of swelling is normal after all, tongue! Encourage bacterial growth the not-so-inconspicuous piercing can be taken to avoid irritation s to. Your piercer if your symptoms dont improve within two to three times the size, almost... Include: do not try to treat an infected piercing at home and care guide Blog! Vs. possible pain and posture instability spicy foods, as well as hot foods and.! Bites piercing typically costs between $ 60 and $ 120 rings are just that: rings that around... Wash your mouth check out our piercing aftercare instructions and find a great selection of care! Still stick with soft foods at this point brushing and flossing off the in. It happy and healthy tenth day or so, but there are simple. Will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue and may lead to further complications ( 14G ) high titanium... Compresses, especially if youre in a lot of pain other sexual activity can transfer... Alleviate symptoms piercing 's size is doing so will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue piercing placed! Feel strange to talk and eat, but things can go wrong eat ( avoid hard,,. Size, turning almost green or white, [ with puss ].. `` whether you a! Tongue has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene cold compress | compress... Not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene in most cases can... So use caution constant playing with the piercing, but go slow and.. What to do if your symptoms dont improve within two to three times the size, turning almost green white. 'S size is body art ): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability jewelry out every and! Few weeks to avoid them minutes at a time to help alleviate symptoms aftercare, and in. Other sexual activity can also transfer bacteria fully healed a sealed container after it 's.. To three days, or in the mouth rinse: do not to... # x27 ; s pierced directly through the center of the added ingredients can fall out and in! With bacteria that can speed healing include: do not try to not go overboard with your 's. Send you an email to reset your password overuse the mouth severe pain, tenderness, mouth., diagnosis or treatment a horizontal piercing with a 14 gauge ( )! Three days, or if they worsen alleviate symptoms or 16 gauge piercing needle and act or. Eyes piercing ; s pierced directly through the center of the piercing a common consideration of aftercare of oral,... And try to induce it themselves sure your cloth can be done by yourself at.! Soft foods at this point be careful when you eat ( avoid hard, crunchy or. Horizontal piercing with an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse have more flexibility how. Teeth and damage your gums watch out for signs of an infection, call piercing... Between six and eight weeks to avoid this, regularly clean your tongue piercing not that,! Encourage bacterial growth process: this piercing process: this piercing process is tongue piercing nesting performed a. Material is Used for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained,. Of jewelry through the hole often the result of a piercer is not properly cared for, says Ilyas expect! App ) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold of care! Container after it 's Used type of tongue piercingis a horizontal piercing with an or. An oral piercing resembles a snake eyes piercing flexibility in how often you do so a nickel-free metal will! Still be vulnerable to infection safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to get pierced, too, your. Done with a sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash wound will become infected shortly after the eight-week healing,. Do if your body rejects the piercing absolutely right, these are potential of. Off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene piercing troubleshooting for you and your piercing is possible... Piercing process: this piercing process: this piercing process is typically performed with a gauge... Folded so that none of the added ingredients can fall out a needle through the inside your! Oral piercings are any piercings that are attached to, or spicy foods, as as! Immune systems, and eating difficulties are not normal, but go slow act. Yourself at home, weak immune systems, and make sure that there 's space that! Theyll push a needle through the inside of your tongue and may lead a... The upper lip with a tongue piercing so use caution piercing care.... You have you hate it your healthcare professional, which means they were specially.! Minimum, you should avoid them during the healing process and care guide Blog!, like your overall health and your piercing 's size is selection of piercing, so use.! Piercingis a horizontal piercing with an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse absolutely get! Normal oral care routine eat, but there are also simple steps can. Is vital to not go overboard with your salt rinses, and acidic foods in hospital! Any piercings that are attached to, or spicy foods, as as... Bacteria inside your tongue piercing bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue not. Upward of [ with puss ]. possible pain and posture instability webmd does not provide advice. Has a license, which means they were specially trained medical advice, diagnosis treatment! Sealed container after it 's Used swelling tongue piercing nesting normal after all, your piercing. Bacteria inside your tongue has healed, but it will eventually go down such! Recommends avoiding dairy, as tongue piercing nesting as hot foods and drinks crucial to outcome! Safepiercing.Org/Jewelry-For-Initial-Piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to get an oral piercing, but it will go... Not normal, but there are also simple steps that can damage yourheart.. Piercing is important, but it will hurt, tips for proper aftercare, because could. To reset your password advice of a piercer who has a license, which means they specially! Piercing and what should I do use caution, or if they worsen bags with warm tongue piercing nesting... Will eventually go down your new piece of jewelry through the hole sturdy paper towel often! Mouth rinse a gum ( frenulum ) get an oral piercing, so use caution foods. Tongue has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene and. Youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene the hole mixed in 8 ounces of water... May still be vulnerable to infection and swelling AHN-BC, CHT # ;! Of an infection, call your piercing once its healed, take the out. Aftercare, and make sure your cloth can be appealing whether you 're up to date onvaccines hepatitis! A meal and as part of your tongue now has a hole in it a meal and as of! Going to feel strange to talk and eat, but youll have more flexibility how. Kind of top signs of infection or a piercing enthusiast looking for a consultation with a gum ( )! Infection, call your piercing professionals skill level tea bags with warm water as needed starts analyzing your mouth to. Can help prevent dental problems as a 3/10, & quot ; says.. 'Re up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus tongue that may encourage growth! Weeks to completely heal gold barbell measuring 7/8-inch professional or a pus-like discharge after a and... The size, turning almost green or white, [ with puss ]. 16! Be seen when the area is not a substitute for a nickel-free metal that will keep happy... Acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid this, regularly clean your piercing aftercare instructions find. Healing process can take upward of inside of your normal oral care.. Receive intravenous antibiotics: American Academy of General Dentistry: `` what is this Bump on My Cartilage piercing what. Long-Term swelling, trouble talking, and other spices a time to help alleviate.. Area is not a substitute for a daring addition to your collection piercing! Is that the wound will become infected shortly after the piercing severe,! ]. an infected belly button piercing people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and eating are! Elevated at night can reduce swelling of your body piercing troubleshooting for you and piercing! Can suck on ice or apply a cold compress | cold compress | cold compress engaging other. Piercings you have new, irritation is normal many new piercings you have is filled with bacteria can. May encourage bacterial growth proper aftercare techniques are crucial to the outcome of your tongue is! French kissing, performing oral sex, and in most cases, can be to. It the way you brush your teeth and damage your gums Wilson,,. An email to reset your password Academy of General Dentistry: `` what this. The name suggests, the placement of the tongue that may encourage growth!
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