Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Placement: Located below the lip on both the left and right side. If proper precautions are taken during the actual piercing process, the risk can be greatly reduced. Theres also the horizontal tongue piercing, which runs the needle through the tongue from side to side instead of top to bottom. 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. (n.d.). Find out more about tongue piercings here. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Mouth Jewelry, Oral Piercings, and Your Health. Repeat until its comfortably warm to the touch. This piercing type gets one of the cutest lip piercing names thanks to its functionality. Some other risks of a tongue piercing include: In some cases, the body can reject a piercing, which can lead to further complications. While the initial piece of jewelry used for your piercing may not be your favorite, its important to make sure it stays put over the next eight weeks. 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. You can make these modifications to your homemade compress, too. If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Then, pull the bar out and place your new piece of jewelry through the hole. During the first two weeks, you may experience: Redness or swelling that extends beyond the piercing site may be a sign of infection. The most significant risk associated with a tongue piercing is that the wound will become infected shortly after the piercing. Learn more about piercing rejections here. You may start eating harder, crunchier foods, but do so with care. The risk of infection also greatly decreases. 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. Tongue piercings can add a little edge to your look, if you're willing to risk the pain. Prop your head up with a few pillows while sleeping. Suggested aftercare for oral piercings. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. (2014). You followed all the advice and youre tongue piercing healed. Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Make sure youre keeping the rest of your mouth clean, 7. 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. One small survey revealed that 3 in 51 people with tongue piercings developed infections. (2020). A small amount of bleeding is normal, but consistent bleeding may signal a problem. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. But take care with spices, as these can irritate the wound. People whove had it done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Both piercers strongly suggest using an alcohol-free mouthwash that won't burn your mouth. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Risk of infection. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. Avoid oral sexual activity during healing. Also, ensure your foods are coldhot foods can cause irritation. Then, a needletypically a 14 gauge, says Dohoneyis pushed through the tongue to create the actual piercing. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. Even clear or white discharge is totally normal. Floss your teeth once a day. A tongue bar, particularly a large or heavy one, may knock into the teeth. A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lips edge. A professional piercer will be able to discuss risks and safety with you, but it is a good idea to be informed before you venture into a body piercing shop. The wound may also bleed or ooze. Myers suggests avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid irritation. Once thats done, here are the next steps: For sure. ", Mouth Healthy (American Dental Association): "Oral Piercings. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And in some people withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage yourheart valves. Apply a tea bag to each side of the hole for up to 10 minutes. 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. You can do a salt rinse to help minimize any pain and swelling. A tongue piercing creates a wound in one of the most bacteria-filled parts of the body: the mouth. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing. While . How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? The Answer May Surprise You. Apart from switching up your oral products, you may have to change what you eat, but only for a short while. ), 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. Oral cleansers that contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and other antibacterial ingredients can also harm healthy skin cells and slow down the healing process. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. For those who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing at the tip of the tongue. Getting your tongue pierced is a great way to add a unique touch to your look. We spoke to Josephine and other experts about tongue piercings, what they entail, and if you should get one. Your body is really good at healing itself.". 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. Keep track of when the swelling is over, though, as you have to change out the jewelry when it does. Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth . In short, this double lip piercing was created by acquiring Madonna and Monroe piercings at the same time. "Once your piercing has healed and you become used to it, it is a no-fuss piercing that you can enjoy for years.". By this stage in the healing process, it should have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal. Her work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and more. Avoid hot beverages, as these can encourage further swelling. The stakes seem higher and more dangerous should an infection occur. Some may call them venom piercings, but Loheide prefers to just refer to them as paired tongue piercings because for some people venom refers to two horizontal piercings, and the slang terms used to change over time. The bad news: All piercings hurt. Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. Myers estimates that for a single tongue piercing, it will take about one to three months and three to five for paired piercings. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. For the first 5 days or so, swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness is normal. "It'll be two to three times the size, turning almost green or white, [with puss]." Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process. Other early signs of infection include: persistent warmth . Youll also be asked to fill out some paperwork, including a waiver. Super hot foods should be left alone as well. Its also common to see slight swelling about two days into the healing process. Srivastava JK, et al. However, the healing process can take upward of. The way a tongue is pierced involves clamping the appendage with forceps to hold the tissue. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Contact with food may further increase this risk. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. If you have an OTC heat compress, microwave or heat as directed on the product packaging. The name . Considering laser tattoo removal? They can ensure a safe removal process and show you how to correctly put new jewelry in. And you especially shouldn't get one if you have a job or do things that would make it more likely to cause you trouble. As long as the jewelry can move freely after it's nested, there's no need to worry. You have a lot ofblood vessels in the area. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. Oral Contact. You have to keep the rest of your mouth clean, too. Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. DOI: 2. 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. Your, is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. 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. Material is key when it comes to piercings. Swelling associated with tongue piercings can get pretty wild. Morning and night cleanings are ideal. 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 . It is difficult to keep a tongue piercing clean, which further increases the risk of infection, especially during the healing process. Keep this up until all symptoms subside and until your tongue piercing completely heals. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Drinking lots of cool water will help with some of that.". "Things that you wouldn't [want on] a paper cut, basically, you don't want to eat the first few weeks of a tongue piercing, because it will cause serious discomfort," she says. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Matheron E, et al. Ice is the perfect way to avoid swelling. Brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. Watch out for signs of infection such as: American Academy of General Dentistry: "What Is an Oral Piercing? After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. It can break off in yourmouth and make you choke. Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesn't cause such damages.. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. What to know about gargling with salt water. 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. [11] 2. Soak a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel with the solution. This includes eating what you want, getting intimate, and switching out your jewelry. However, they shouldnt replace your saline cleansing routine. Less desirable metals are more likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to infection. 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. Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. If you arent already using a mouthwash, theres no need to start now. You can cut down to twice-daily salt rinses preferably morning and night after you brush your teeth. Keep reading for everything you need to know about tongue piercings. Depends on the body's reaction. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. Twist the new jewelrys beads until tight, and youre all set. "A horizontal tongue piercing forces the jewelry through the tip of both muscles. Note that's the size of an initial tongue piercing; once healed the length of the barbell can be shortened. 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. Redness or swelling that extends beyond the piercing site may be a sign of infection. Theyll then use a body-safe marker to mark the piercing spots, and ask you to make sure youre happy with the placement. Still, the amount of swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking. Privacy Policy. When it comes to tongue piercings, you have to do more than just clean the piercing site. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the surrounding areas. In fact, they say that the most uncomfortable part is having the piercer's hands in your mouth for an extended amount of time. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. with germ-killing soap, wear fresh disposable gloves, and use sterilized tools or ones that are thrown away after one use. "If you go to eat something and you're like, 'Wow, this feels terrible to eat,' don't keep eating it," they share. Dude why is your tongue green! Here are some possible complications and side effects to watch for: Healing typically takes 23 months. A venom piercing is a vertical piercing on each side of the tongue. Myers shares that typically her clients are given mouthwash right before to help clean their mouths out. Healing time: A tongue piercing heals fairly quickly, taking anywhere from four to eight weeks. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. It probably needs a longer bar or different kind of top. Tonguepiercings also can put you at risk for bleeding andblood loss. And, for mouth piercings where the jewelry will potentially make contact with your teeth and gums, its especially important. We will send you an email to reset your password. 3. Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing. A little bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue now has a hole in it. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. Extremely crunchy foods, such as chips, can cause additional pain and irritation. ", Its more like a weird pressure; it hurts more to bite your tongue, agrees Dohoney. Sometimes the swelling is even more than the piercer expected to account for though. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. Poor-quality jewelry, messing with the piercing, and improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk. While this is true, our saliva actually contains naturally occurring antimicrobials that get rid of the potentially harmful toxins that may enter. Sometimes we will use a larger needle if the client requests a larger gauge piece of jewelry, but 14g is standard, says Dohoney. Davies L. (n.d.). First, do a patch test to ensure youre not allergic to chamomile. 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. Plus, they arent intended to be used inside your mouth. Skin infections. We avoid using tertiary references. Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Gout: How metabolic syndrome may increase the risk, A new therapeutic target for the prevention of heart failure due to aortic stenosis, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. For more information, please see our But keep the area clean while waiting for it to close. several different types of tongue piercings. How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? 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. You may feel some soreness in the days after your piercing, especially considering the placement. Always opt for a nickel-free metal that will keep it happy and healthy. Peoples bodies are all different, so the healing process varies from person to person. ", TeensHealth.org: "Body Piercing & What to Expect.". Oral piercings risks & safety measures. But you still have to be mindful of how your mouth and tongue feel when you do eat or drink certain things. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. After that, you can remove the jewelry. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. Yourmouth is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. So not only are you daring in the real world, but also in the bedroom. Not share cups, plates, forks, knives, or spoons. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. 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. Barbell: A barbell is, at the basic level, a metal bar with a small bead affixed on both ends; typically one is removable and one isnt. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. 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. 11. And if you had hopes of getting that piercing, keep dreaming. Jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, or platinum. However, proper aftercare and having an experienced piercing professional can significantly minimize risk. Luckily, not every tongue piercing will become infected. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2018, A tongue piercing officially takes six and eight weeks to completely heal. Also, dont forget that piercings come with two charges: the actual piercing and the jewelry. You can eliminate salt rinses, but be sure to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any problems. 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. A 20 percent tip is customary if youre happy with the service. There are. Heres What You Need to Know About Pain and Healing Time, Lip Piercings: Cost, Placement, Aftercare, and More, The Complete Guide to Getting a Septum Piercing, Septum Piercings 101: From the Pain to the Price, Everything You Need to Know, Ashley Piercing: What to Know About the Unusual Stud, Body Piercing GuideSites, Styles, What to Expect, Healing, and Care, The Complete Guide to Getting a Vertical Labret Piercing, Considering a Snake Bite Piercing? It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. The most common jewelry used is a ball-shaped piercing, with cone and cylindrical being far less common, says Ilyas. Ready to get pierced? A warm compress can also minimize overall swelling and irritation. 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. You can get a piercing on the inside of your mouth (intraoral) or the type that you can see outside of your mouth (perioral). The needle is new and has never been used. Like any piercing, you should expect pain, and though it's subjective, Loheide and Myers both swear that a tongue piercing is not as bad as you might think. When shopping for new jewelry, you need to know what your piercing's size is. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. To avoid this, regularly clean your tongue piercing with an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse. Here's what to expect. Snake bites piercings seem intense, but they arent typically considered as painful as other lip piercings, especially those that go through the actual lip. ), 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. Do some research to find a reputable piercing studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety. Wash your hands before touching your mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. You can eat almost anything youd like at this point. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. 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. If ice cubes arent your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them, use a soft-bristle toothbrush for cleanings, look for signs of complications especially an infection, engage in french kissing or oral sex until the piercing has completely healed, play contact sports with your jewelry in your tongue, smoke or drink alcohol during the healing process. 7 days ago. Join. When not removed, this can lead to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis. Regular cleansing is the best way to flush out bacteria and prevent further irritation. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. Ultimately, try to not go overboard with your piercing aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation. All rights reserved. As well, there may be some yellowish discharge from the piercing sites. This may lead to broken teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, and similar oral health problems. Infected tongue piercing. A person should see a doctor or healthcare provider if they experience any of these symptoms. (2020). Considering laser tattoo removal? When the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry with a shorter piece of jewelry. Some other strategies that can speed healing include: Do not try to treat an infected piercing at home. 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. This can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and getting trapped inside your piercing. Keep reading to learn how to identify an infection, ease your symptoms, and prevent further complications. It's the second most popular lip piercing. Keep your jewelry in until the piercings fully healed even if you hate it. What Is This Bump on My Cartilage Piercing and What Should I Do? Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. You want to look for 14 gauge (14G) tongue barbells with a wearable length of 5/8". On the other hand, Loheide says to expect it to take about three to five months to be fully healed. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. All rights reserved. The people who work in the shop have been vaccinated against. Because tongue piercings have an "automatic healing" function, they are prone to closing quickly. If you dont want to take a temporary hiatus, cut back on your usual intake until the infection clears. When its ready, follow the same steps for cleansing with premade saline. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. Learn more about piercing rejections here. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. DOI: Malta Purim KS, et al. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Moving the jewelry around can increase swelling and irritation, as well as introduce new bacteria into the holes. Avoid open-mouth kissing and oral sex to reduce the transfer of bacteria and saliva. Here's why and a look at some other options that may work. You might have heard of snake eyes before. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. After 10 minutes, rinse the affected area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. The cost can vary significantly depending on factors, like location, jewelry choice, and the piercing professionals experience level. When a tongue piercing heals correctly, the body treats the wound like a scar. Please note: If you registered an account with us prior to Feb 1 2019 and are having trouble signing in, it may be because we recently had a makeover and launched a brand new site with exciting new features! New site, means new logins for some loyal customers. Mouth and tongue piercings also may: Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow. (2013). This reduces the risk of accidentally introducing additional bacteria to the site. For the frenulum linguae (aka, the little web that connects the underside of your tongue to your mouth), the piercer will pierce one barbell into the web, according to Spencer's. Wrap the compress in either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. You can find plenty of examples across social media. (2010). See your piercer if you dont see improvement within a day or two. You shouldnt have any pain or swelling at this stage, but you might find that certain foods irritate your tongue. Not all piercings are created equal. "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. Davies L. (n.d.). For this reason, it's important to avoid removing your piercing as it heals. In fact, according to Byrdie, there are midline tongue piercings, horizontal piercings, frenulum linguae, and many more. Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue. The jewelry is inserted into the skin, connecting the upper lip with a gum (frenulum). 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. Contrary to popular opinion, there are actuallyseveral different types of tongue piercings. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. 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. "But when you're piercing horizontally, you're actually pinning those muscles together, and that can cause a lot of damage." (2014). Apply the compress to the affected area for up to 10 minutes at a time, up to twice per day. 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 . The bags should be warm to the touch. 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/.