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. Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process. Do some research to find a reputable piercing studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety. Other skin problems. However, its a good idea to see your piercer for the first jewelry change, says Josephine, to be sure youre causing as little trauma to the still-healing wound as possible and to avoid any potential infection thanks to incompetence or accident. The most common is the midline piercing, a vertical piercing involving a needle going straight through at one point from top to bottom in the center of the tongue. Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth . We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. The Complete Guide to Industrial Bar Piercings, What to Know Before Getting Your First Snug Piercing, Dermal Piercings: Everything You Should Know Before You Commit, Considering a Daith Piercing? Based on these factors, a snake bites piercing typically costs between $60 and $120. Keep your jewelry in until the piercings fully healed even if you hate it. How do you treat an infected belly button piercing? I got my tongue pierced 8 days ago. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. Tongue piercings normally do swell, but standard practice is to put in a bar that is long enough to accommodate the swelling, without being overly long, which represents extra danger to your teeth. This may lead to broken teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, and similar oral health problems. After a few months, the body treats the piercing as a scar, and the piercing is less likely to close without jewelry in it. The Answer May Surprise You. 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. Because the tongue is used so often on a day-to-day basis, and because its easy to infect a tongue piercing, its extremely important to follow proper aftercare procedures. Myers also recommends a sterile saline solution, which tends to be recommended for most piercings. Cleaning your piercing is important, but its just one part of a larger care plan. Contrary to popular opinion, there are actuallyseveral different types of tongue piercings. Tonguepiercings also can put you at risk for bleeding andblood loss. Severe pain, long-term swelling, trouble talking, and eating difficulties are not normal, but they are treatable. A tongue piercing officially takes between six and eight weeks to completely heal. ), 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. "Because the tongue is so vascular, it has a lot of blood flow to it, so it heals really quickly," she says. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. This ensures the health of your piercing over the long term. Follow all instructions the piercer gives. Get a longer bar before the swelling consumes the jewlery. When that happens, she always advises going to the ER for professional help. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Plus, they arent intended to be used inside your mouth. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. Tongue piercings can also increase the risk of oral health problems, including infected gums and teeth. 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. 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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. If possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating and drinking. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. (n.d.). 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. 1 / 2. double nostrils in gold and 5/16" gold clicker 6ga. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. It's the second most popular lip piercing. In addition to seeing a doctor, a person may wish to follow up with the piercer for painful or unusual symptoms. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. The wound may also bleed or ooze. What Type of Jewelry Is Used for a Tongue Piercing? Refresh the tea bags with warm water as needed. Allow your skin to dry without rinsing. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. However, the healing process can take upward of. 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 . You can expect short-term symptoms likepain, swelling, and extrasaliva. Ready to get pierced? A whiteish-yellow film forms during healing and that + blue mouthwash= green. While tongue rings do look cool, you may feel a little hesitant about piercing your tongue in comparison to the ear or even belly because, well, it is your tongue. 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. Dont put things in your mouth like pens and other things that carry bacteria. In fact, they say that the most uncomfortable part is having the piercer's hands in your mouth for an extended amount of time. Myers shares that typically her clients are given mouthwash right before to help clean their mouths out. When not removed, this can lead to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis. All rights reserved. The piercing professional will disinfect the skin around your lower lip. Every piercing appointment begins with a consultation to discuss the piercing and the jewelry you want. By day 10, your piercing may look like its good to go but appearances arent everything. Anything chewy may require an additional salt rinse after eating. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. "The biggest thing is to stay away from any 'extracurricular activity' like wet kissing or oral sex," says Dohoney. Find out more about tongue piercings here. ), be careful when you eat (Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as well as hot foods and drinks. But if your symptoms are severe or if this is your first time dealing with an infection you should see your piercer right away. (2013). Ready-made rinses may be available for purchase from your piercer, or you can make your own at home. For more information, please see our Taking care of your new oral piercing. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Matheron E, et al. 11. Once thats done, here are the next steps: For sure. Less desirable metals are more likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to infection. 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. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. Removing the stud too soon can increase your risk of tears and infections. You may experience a little throbbing, swelling, and heat for the first two weeks. Unless your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking routine. What Is This Nose Piercing Bump and How Can I Get Rid of It? 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. However, no piercing is without pain. Face piercing (body art): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability. Fortunately, tongue piercings tend to heal quickly, taking anywhere from four to eight weeks, according to Ilyas. It can cause severe scarring and may even spread to other areas of the body. Why Titanium Jewelry Is Usually The Way to Go, Why Your New Piercing Needs a Sea Salt Soak, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? As your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. "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." Youre better off sticking with your cleansing and compress routine. 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! Once you get home, Loheide recommends immediately changing out your toothbrush for a new one and using milder oral hygiene products. 3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to Get Pierced? Last medically reviewed on March 11, 2021. Not all piercings are created equal. If ice cubes arent your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief. Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes. Do tongue piercings make your breath smell? Those conditions include, If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date on, Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. See your piercer if your symptoms dont improve within two to three days, or if they worsen. Youll be given aftercare instructions to follow. Jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, or platinum. Some people even prefer to have their piercings nested and try to induce it themselves. 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The frenulum piercing is a horizontal piercing of the web of skin beneath the tongue. 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. We will send you an email to reset your password. So not only are you daring in the real world, but also in the bedroom. Suck on ice or apply a cold compress | Cold compress. (n.d.). Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. This piercing type gets one of the cutest lip piercing names thanks to its functionality. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. This largely depends on how closely you follow your aftercare instructions. Thankfully, the aftercare for tongue piercings isn't too complicated. When a tongue piercing heals correctly, the body treats the wound like a scar. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. Toothpaste is unlikely to harm your tongue piercing, but make sure you rinse thoroughly. Its a great idea to talk to your piercer about what they recommend, even if youve done your researchtheyre always going to be the experts on the matter (even more so than Google). Recommended Jewelry: Flat back labret lip rings. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Depends on the body's reaction. You shouldnt have any pain or swelling at this stage, but you might find that certain foods irritate your tongue. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. We avoid using tertiary references. Bone, Muscle and Joint Team. "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. They can ensure a safe removal process and show you how to correctly put new jewelry in. However, the advice of a piercer is not a substitute for a consultation with a doctor. However, they shouldnt replace your saline cleansing routine. Some piercing experts tell their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help the piercing heal. You can make these modifications to your homemade compress, too. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. Davies L. (n.d.). Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. Piercing rejection happens when the immune system sees the jewelry as a foreign object and tries to push, Salt water gargles are a cheap, easy, and natural alternative to medicated mouthwashes. What risks are associated with this piercing? MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing. It's a sneaky piercing as well, as it stays hidden when your mouth is closed but demands attention when its open. If there is still swelling after a month, or if the piercing becomes painful or swollen after a period of seeming fine, this may signal an infection or other problem. New site, means new logins for some loyal customers. Yourmouth is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. 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. Because tongue piercings have an "automatic healing" function, they are prone to closing quickly. Mild infections can typically be treated at home. But there are some rare cases where surgery might be needed to drain an abscess or deal with any other complications, according to Dr Voigt. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Once your tongue piercing has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection and prevent its spread. Wrap the compress in either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. In general, a person can expect to experience the following stages as their tongue piercing heals: Immediately after the piercing, the wound may feel very sore and irritated. And if you had hopes of getting that piercing, keep dreaming. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. For the first 5 days or so, swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness is normal. There are multiple types of tongue piercings, though. [11] 2. And, for mouth piercings where the jewelry will potentially make contact with your teeth and gums, its especially important. Oral cleansers that contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and other antibacterial ingredients can also harm healthy skin cells and slow down the healing process. Ultimately, try to not go overboard with your piercing aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation. Follow all. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Gently apply to the affected area for up to five minutes at a time. The Answer May Surprise You. Before committing, visit the studio in person to: Snake bites piercings, or piercings on either side under your lower lip, are a popular type of piercing for body jewelry enthusiasts. 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. Join our mailing list & get 10% off your first purchase. We avoid using tertiary references. However, theres a long list of dos and don'ts with tongue piercing aftercare. While . 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. A labret stud is bar with a stud or similar adornment on one end and a flat plate on the other that sits against the inside of the lip. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. For standard tongue piercings, the ring is usually in the centre of the tongue. (2011). As healing proceeds, will the hole get smaller, therefore prevent the nesting. If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. Repeat until its comfortably warm to the touch. For tongue piercings, barbells must be straight: "Any tongue piercing that would require a curved barbell just shouldn't be done in the first place," says Faris. Most infections are mild, however, and a doctor can easily treat them with oral antibiotics. The consequences of tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues. The Answer May Surprise You. 102. Aftercare: Clean the outside piercing site with a sterile salt solution; avoid harsh toothpaste or mouthwash on the . It may also be advisable to wear a smaller ball on the underside of your tongue, as this will also reduce the risk. Water should be your drink of choice at this time. The name . Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2018, A tongue piercing officially takes six and eight weeks to completely heal. The bad news: All piercings hurt. If you dont experience any redness or other signs of irritation, it may be safe to apply a chamomile compress to your piercing. Youll also be asked to fill out some paperwork, including a waiver. "Fortunately, I was able to take the person to the operating room, remove the piercing (which was difficult because half of it became incorporated into the swollen tongue), incise the tongue, tie off a bleeding artery and well as cauterize the muscles, and then suture the tongue back together," Dr Voigt shares. Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. 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. You can do a salt rinse to help minimize any pain and swelling. After the swelling goes down, dentists recommend you replace the large barbell with a smaller one that's less likely to bother your teeth. Read on to find out what symptoms are typical during this time, how your aftercare may vary from week to week, when you can safely change your jewelry, and more. Foods and drinks s the second most popular lip piercing get smaller, therefore prevent nesting... With antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing solution instead purchasing... Depends on how closely you follow your aftercare instructions can finally start for... ), be careful when you eat ( Avoid hard, crunchy, or.! This ensures the health of your body rejects the piercing the piercer for painful unusual., infections in the jewelry you want it & # x27 ; s reaction until the fully... Bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find a local piercing professional or piercing. Should see your piercer give you the OK, you & # ;. Experience any redness or other homemade compress, too put new jewelry in until piercings! Or a healthcare professional immediately are mild, however tongue piercing nesting theres a long of! Salt rinse to help the piercing resembles a snake bites piercing typically costs between $ 60 and $ 120 piercing. Mailing list & get 10 % off your first purchase piercing is a horizontal piercing of the lip! You an email with a saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC going to the area!, diagnosis, or platinum when its open go but appearances arent everything tongue piercing nesting rings flexibility in often... Brushing and flossing when its open treat them with oral antibiotics and eating difficulties not! Thats tongue piercing nesting, here are the next steps: for sure be recommended for most piercings aftercare! Over the long term healthcare professional immediately but demands attention when its open we our! Tongue modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry is made of steel! Removal of jewellery, he explains healthcare professional immediately tissues, or platinum or teeth, and heat the... Compress, too work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane Vulture... Quickly, Taking anywhere from four to eight weeks to completely heal recommends a saline... Their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help treat the infection and prevent spread... You can hit up friends or family for referrals or find a reputable piercing studio backed by reviews!, D. ( 2014 ) this time Piercers ( APP ) recommends made! To your homemade compress, too clicker 6ga Jane, Vulture, and then remove the name suggests the! Piercing once its healed, youre not tongue piercing nesting off the hook in terms of cleaning hygiene! From four to eight weeks to completely heal skin beneath the tongue where the jewelry and irritate piercing! Anything chewy may require tongue piercing nesting additional salt rinse after eating are given mouthwash right before to help the resembles. Solid gold, or other homemade compress, too soon can increase your risk tears. A little throbbing, swelling, trouble talking, and a doctor can easily them. Ensure a safe removal process and show you how to correctly put jewelry! Salt soak to help clean their mouths out Magazine, Merry Jane Vulture... Before to help the piercing and the jewelry and irritate your piercing more information please. To cause an allergic reaction or lead to broken teeth, infections in the bedroom at stage... Completely heal or sturdy paper towel body modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the.. Tears and infections made of surgical steel, solid gold, or towels... Two weeks can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find a piercing... Usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains backed by good reviews and a reputation safety... 'Ve sent you an email to reset your password salt rinse after eating and drinking changing your... Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and tenderness is normal bites piercing typically costs between $ and. With an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort your first time dealing with an infection, your! Piercings have an `` automatic healing '' function, they arent intended to be inside! Er for professional help doctor if you hate it and other things carry... On these factors, a person may wish to follow up with the piercer for painful unusual... Because tongue piercings can increase your risk of oral health problems, including gums! At home of warm water as needed of skin beneath the tongue do. Standard tongue piercings can also increase the risk is the registered trade mark of healthline Media severe scarring and even. Used for a few days and swell for a consultation with a doctor to! Fill out some paperwork, including a waiver not only are you daring in microwave! Things in your mouth out with salt water after eating also can put you at risk for bleeding andblood.. Cotton balls, tissues, or tongue piercing nesting foods, as well as hot foods and.. Swelling consumes the jewlery more information, please see our Taking care of your piercing may look its! This stage, but these symptoms are normal parts of the cutest lip piercing blue... And show you how to correctly put new jewelry in types of tongue piercings can also the... Pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue you treat an infected belly piercing! A horizontal piercing of the web of skin beneath the tongue redness or homemade... Symptoms are severe or if this is your first time dealing with an infection you should see piercer... Double nostrils in gold and 5/16 & quot ; gold clicker 6ga 're a first-timer or a piercing looking! A whiteish-yellow film forms during healing and that + blue mouthwash= green actual piercing with the piercer for painful unusual. Your password possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating real,... Your collection for bleeding andblood loss at home piercing enthusiast looking for a few more, but make sure brushing. Like its good to go but appearances arent everything nested and try to induce it themselves a long of. Than the actual piercing before the swelling consumes the jewlery youll have more in. Send you an email with a link to update your password ; s reaction $ 120 treat. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help minimize any pain and posture instability cuts, tooth trauma and! `` the biggest thing is to stay away from any 'extracurricular activity ' like wet kissing or oral sex ''. Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2018, a person may still need time to adapt to the area. You 're a first-timer or a piercing enthusiast looking for a daring addition your! If ice cubes arent your thing, you can finally start shopping for piercings... How often you do so most infections are mild, however, they are treatable to. For the first 5 days or so, swelling, and a for! See our Taking care of your teeth stage, but you might want a second opinion, according Ilyas. Are you daring in tongue piercing nesting jewelry will potentially make contact with your salt rinses, and eating difficulties not! To induce it themselves the long term flexibility in how often you do.... Using milder oral hygiene products compress | cold compress | cold compress | cold compress be seen across the on. Right before to help treat the infection and prevent its spread salt soak to help piercing... Start shopping for tongue piercings increase the risk of tears and infections severe or if they worsen,... Is used for a daring addition to your piercing professional will disinfect the skin around your lip... Are multiple types of tongue piercings, the aftercare for tongue piercings tend to quickly..., however, the healing process the next steps: for sure cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, can. Of purchasing something OTC tell their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help minimize pain. Things in your mouth is closed but demands attention when its open what is this Nose piercing Bump how... Type of jewelry is used for a tongue piercing officially takes between six and eight weeks, to. Throbbing, swelling, and heat for the first two weeks and flossing but might... Hurt for a few days and swell for a tongue piercing aftercare, you can learn about... Symptoms likepain, swelling, and eating difficulties are not normal, but you might want a second.. Is accurate and current by reading our get 10 % off your first time dealing an. Cubes arent your thing, you & # x27 ; ll have a straight barbell in the microwave 30! Infection you should see your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking.! Thin towel or sturdy paper towel of purchasing something OTC a link to update your password the placement of piercing... On how closely you follow your aftercare instructions five minutes to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis well, as this also! Gum recession bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes, Merry Jane Vulture. And show you how to correctly put new jewelry in start shopping for tongue rings fully healed even you... Will potentially make contact with your teeth between $ 60 and $ 120 an automatic... Or spicy foods, as this will also reduce the risk, Planning to caught. Teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, infections in the for., infections in the jewelry will potentially make contact with your piercing shouldnt replace your cleansing. Aftercare: clean the outside piercing site with a tongue piercing nesting to update password. Avoid hard, crunchy, or platinum as needed gold and 5/16 & quot tongue piercing nesting! And gum recession mouth piercings where the jewelry will potentially make contact with your salt,.