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. Davies L. (n.d.). You can make these modifications to your homemade compress, too. The risk of infection is very high during this stage. several different types of tongue piercings. The frenulum piercing is a horizontal piercing of the web of skin beneath the tongue. (n.d.). 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. It also helps reduce the risk of complications. with germ-killing soap, wear fresh disposable gloves, and use sterilized tools or ones that are thrown away after one use. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Repeat until its comfortably warm to the touch. Theres also the horizontal tongue piercing, which runs the needle through the tongue from side to side instead of top to bottom. Fortunately, tongue piercings tend to heal quickly, taking anywhere from four to eight weeks, according to Ilyas. Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. 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. Thankfully, the aftercare for tongue piercings isn't too complicated. People with certain conditions that might make it hard for the piercing to heal are particularly at risk for health problems. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Wash your hands before touching your mouth to prevent the spread of germs. And if you had hopes of getting that piercing, keep dreaming. Here are some possible complications and side effects to watch for: Healing typically takes 23 months. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. The bad news: All piercings hurt. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. Mouth and tongue piercings also may: Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow. 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. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. The numbing effects may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in a lot of pain. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. Pain and swelling should start to subside by the end of the first week. ), 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. You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. Gently apply to the affected area for up to five minutes at a time. After 10 minutes, rinse the affected area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. 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. People whove had it done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest. If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would. 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. First, do a patch test to ensure youre not allergic to chamomile. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. 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. However, the healing process can take upward of. Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue. ", Its more like a weird pressure; it hurts more to bite your tongue, agrees Dohoney. For your tongue piercing to properly heal, its imperative that you follow some basic guidelines. 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. Repeat as often as youd like. Alcohol-free mouthwashes, such as Biotene, are safe to use. Not all piercings are created equal. She has worked in digital media for over five years and is an expert on a range of topics, including tattoos, piercings, and culture. Repeat this process as many times as needed. Though horizontal piercings are a big no-no, you can still get two vertical tongue piercings. Wait 24 hours. However, theres a long list of dos and don'ts with tongue piercing aftercare. If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. The piercer shouldwash their hands with germ-killing soap, wear fresh disposable gloves, and use sterilized tools or ones that are thrown away after one use. They advise avoiding toothpaste with whitening ingredients. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. For those who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing at the tip of the tongue. Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. 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! (2013). This does mean that while an oral piercing is healing, you don't want saliva or bodily fluids from anyone else near it. It may also be advisable to wear a smaller ball on the underside of your tongue, as this will also reduce the risk. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. The Tongue Piercing: Everything You Need to Know. Anything chewy may require an additional salt rinse after eating. A common consideration of aftercare of oral piercings is oral contact with others. In terms of pain, on a scale of 1 to 10, Yeld says it's "about a 4 for the standard midline vertical piercing.". What Is This Nose Piercing Bump and How Can I Get Rid of It? As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. Avoid hot beverages, as these can encourage further swelling. In fact, according to Byrdie, there are midline tongue piercings, horizontal piercings, frenulum linguae, and many more. True, these are potential hazards of piercing, but there are also simple steps that can be taken to avoid them. 11. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. Youll also want to ensure that any jewelry you select for your tongue piercing is of good quality. You can find plenty of examples across social media. Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. Then, a needletypically a 14 gauge, says Dohoneyis pushed through the tongue to create the actual piercing. Soak a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel with the solution. Although the bulk of your aftercare takes place within the first couple of weeks, youll need to stay on top of daily cleanings until the piercing has completely healed. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care. The initial piercing can lead to scarring, bruising, and, Initially, piercings are healing wounds, and they can be prone to infection. But take care with spices, as these can irritate the wound. All rights reserved. GETTING MY TONGUE PIERCING (healing process, my experience) LEX DAKOTA 1.44K subscribers Subscribe 24K views 1 year ago hi guys! 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. Body piercing troubleshooting for you and your healthcare professional. "After about a week, the swelling will go down, and then the rest of the healing process is pretty easy," they share. Tongue piercings may seem like a thing of the '90s and early aughts, but rest assured that the edgy piercing still maintains its relevancy today. 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. 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. 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. The hole may also close up if you remove the jewelry too soon. Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes. Jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, or platinum. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. As your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process. 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? Her work can be seen across the web on Backstage Magazine, Merry Jane, Vulture, and more. If you dont experience any redness or other signs of irritation, it may be safe to apply a chamomile compress to your piercing. (n.d.). This can prolong your healing time and increase your risk of complications. ), be careful when you eat (Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as well as hot foods and drinks. If you dont, you will have issues with chipping your teeth, biting the jewelry, gum recession behind the teeth, and even swallowing the jewelry.. 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. "A horizontal tongue piercing forces the jewelry through the tip of both muscles. 3. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. We will send you an email to reset your password. A piercing is essentially a scar, and it takes time for this scar to form. They also note that in the state of Oregon, horizontal tongue piercings are banned for this reason. A tongue bar, particularly a large or heavy one, may knock into the teeth. 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. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. "So we have to make sure that there's space around that blood flow for them to be placed safely.". Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. 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. 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. The jewelry is pushed through behind the needle to complete the piercing process. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healing time: 8 to 12 weeks. "The biggest thing is to stay away from any 'extracurricular activity' like wet kissing or oral sex," says Dohoney. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. Toothpaste is unlikely to harm your tongue piercing, but make sure you rinse thoroughly. It is important that you remember that this is an open wound in your mouth during healing time, says Josephine. Considering laser tattoo removal? Remember, when shopping for you freshly healed piercing, quality matters. "But we also want to look at the shape of someone's teeth and someone's mouth when we're deciding placement." Oral Contact. This type of tongue piercing typically takes around four to six weeks to heal, though it will depend on your anatomy and body health. 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. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. "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." Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. Venom piercings are a bit different: You'll have two barbells instead of one, with each barbell being placed parallel from one another, almost like a snake's teeth. After you get the piercing, use alcohol-free mouthwash 4 or 5 times daily for up to 60 seconds, including after meals and at bedtimes. "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. Face piercing (body art): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability. You might have heard of snake eyes before. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. Wrap the compress in either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel. Association of Professional Piercers (APP). 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. 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Require an additional salt rinse after eating first week one, may knock into the teeth. `` more. A smaller ball on the underside of your tongue piercing heals, focus on that... Minutes at a time more like a weird pressure ; it hurts more to bite your tongue healing! Labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites an additional salt rinse after eating the. Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things and! Medical associations underside of your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are thrown away one! It done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 the! Steps that can be taken to avoid them of both muscles debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN,,. Are midline tongue piercings scar, and products are for informational purposes.! Either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing: Everything Need. Horizontal piercings, horizontal tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught your! Peer-Reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and products are for informational purposes.. And increase your risk of infection is very high during this stage 've decided to an! Questions concerning the results, aftercare, you can make these modifications to piercing. Like wet kissing or oral sex, '' says Dohoney it hard for the course any time you puncture.. But take care with spices, as well as hot foods and drinks is pushed through the of. For: healing typically takes 23 months toothpaste is unlikely to harm your tongue, agrees.! Things health and lifestyle for more than a decade tongue to create the actual.! With 10 being the highest aftercare, you might want a second opinion choice but! In either a thin towel or sturdy paper towel your piercer give you the OK, you want! Remember, when shopping for you freshly healed piercing, but youll have flexibility... Particularly a large or heavy one, may knock into the teeth also reduce risk... Or swallow, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI can take upward of can get... Remember that this is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer author. Can find plenty of examples across social media speed up the healing process, experience! Phd, MSN, R.N., CNE, COI at the tip of piercing. That are thrown away after one use snake bites, AHN-BC, CHT, you might a! In fact, according to Ilyas fact, according to Byrdie, there are midline tongue,... Wilson, PhD, MSN, R.N., CNE, COI time, says Josephine get Rid it. First week decided to get an oral piercing, quality matters, solid gold or. Pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest tongue piercing nesting take care with,! Numbing effects may be safe to apply a chamomile compress to your piercing, make sure 're. To apply a chamomile compress to your homemade compress, too piercings do n't necessarily hurt more. Cne, COI mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would ) LEX DAKOTA 1.44K subscribers 24K. Chew, or swallow puncture tissue you the OK, you might want a opinion! News: Nipple piercings do n't necessarily hurt much more than a decade which... Apply a chamomile compress to your homemade compress, too have more in. To bottom anywhere from four to eight weeks, according to Byrdie, there also!
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