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). You can eat almost anything youd like at this point. The jewelry can cause issues as well. It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. They can take a look at the piercing and make specific recommendations for cleaning and care. Matheron E, et al. 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. To do so, stick out your tongue, grab the two beads on either side of the barbell, and twist until one comes off. This type of tongue piercing typically takes around four to six weeks to heal, though it will depend on your anatomy and body health. (2012). The most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. Rinsing with a saline solution a few times per day is usually enough to keep the piercing clean. This can trap bacteria and allow the infection to spread beyond the piercing site. A few temporary lifestyle changes can help prevent dental problems as a result of a tongue piercing. Leaving longer jewelry in place increases irritation and may damage the teeth. Anyone else inspired to get a tongue piercing right now? 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. Changing out a tongue piercing is completely possible, and in most cases, can be done by yourself at home. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the surrounding areas. The Tongue Piercing: Everything You Need to Know. Depends on the body's reaction. If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Get a new tooth brush and be diligent about keeping it clean while healing. At first, it may be necessary to put food directly on the teeth in order to chew. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lips edge. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. The initial piercing can lead to scarring, bruising, and, Initially, piercings are healing wounds, and they can be prone to infection. A typical tongue piercing is done with a 14 gauge (14G) high grade titanium, or gold barbell measuring 7/8-inch. Floss your teeth once a day. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. Next, theyll push a needle through the inside of your lip. [12] 3. 102. Do some research to find a reputable piercing studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety. Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. If you think youve developed an infection, your piercer isnt the right source for treatment. I got my tongue pierced 8 days ago. Toothpaste is unlikely to harm your tongue piercing, but make sure you rinse thoroughly. 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. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If you have an OTC heat compress, microwave or heat as directed on the product packaging. Considering laser tattoo removal? It is safest to have a piercer do this. Suck on ice or apply a cold compress | Cold compress. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. "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. Prop your head up with a few pillows while sleeping. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. Still, the amount of swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking. 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. It doesn't suddenly transform you into a fierce person who others won't mess with just because you have a tongue piercing. Keep this up until all symptoms subside and until your tongue piercing completely heals. Other factors impact healing time, too, like your overall health and your piercing professionals skill level. For those who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing at the tip of the tongue. Contact with food may further increase this risk. A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lip's edge. "I honestly compare it to accidentally biting your tongue while you're eating or taking a sip of your coffee when it's still too hot, which are unpleasant experiences, but it's not the end of the world," Loheide shares. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. Most of the time, your bump will, 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. To avoid this, regularly clean your tongue piercing with an antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse. People are often concerned about infection, particularly with oral piercings because they believe the mouth to be dirty given that so many germs and bacteria can pass through the mouth through everyday activities like eating, drinking, talking and even breathing. "If you go to eat something and you're like, 'Wow, this feels terrible to eat,' don't keep eating it," they share. Rinse your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. 3. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Youre better off sticking with your cleansing and compress routine. Cleaning your piercing is important, but its just one part of a larger care plan. 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. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. u heard right, im actually gonna try and be consistent with this. mild heat or warmth. Your piercer should give you verbal and written instructions, and should explain to you the importance of cleansing, and the different cleanser options available. But keep the area clean while waiting for it to close. The hole may also close up if you remove the jewelry too soon. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. Yes, you're absolutely right. and our We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. Now you can finally start shopping for tongue rings. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Mouth Jewelry, Oral Piercings, and Your Health. You can chip yourteeth on it while you eat,sleep, talk, or chew on it. When it comes to new piercings, you can't do better than titanium jewelry. Srivastava JK, et al. 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. After 10 minutes, rinse the affected area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Apply the tea bag to the inside of your elbow. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. You want to look for 14 gauge (14G) tongue barbells with a wearable length of 5/8". 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. 15. r/Stretched. The most common jewelry used is a ball-shaped piercing, with cone and cylindrical being far less common, says Ilyas. Luckily, not every tongue piercing will become infected. For your tongue piercing to properly heal, its imperative that you follow some basic guidelines. Once your tongue piercing has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of cleaning and hygiene. Mild infections can typically be treated at home. After those first few weeks, you'll be feeling like your normal self once again with a brand new tongue piercing to make you feel like a badass. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? It also helps reduce the risk of complications. You can make these modifications to your homemade compress, too. Before your appointment, it's imperative that you brush your teeth and tongue before arriving. 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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. Swelling associated with tongue piercings can get pretty wild. tongue piercing nesting. Refresh the tea bags with warm water as needed. Considering laser tattoo removal? 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. See your piercer if you dont see improvement within a day or two. It can break off in yourmouth and make you choke. Tongue piercings especially new ones are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth. 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. Oral piercings risks & safety measures. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Body piercing: Complications and prevention of health risks. Ultimately, try to not go overboard with your piercing aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation. Theyll use a clamp to pull your bottom lip down and away from your teeth and gums. The risk of infection is very high during this stage. 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. "A horizontal tongue piercing forces the jewelry through the tip of both muscles. Learn about its symptoms and causes. During the first two weeks, you may experience: Redness or swelling that extends beyond the piercing site may be a sign of infection. Speaking of placement, there are restrictions as to where the tongue piercing can go. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. But if your symptoms are severe or if this is your first time dealing with an infection you should see your piercer right away. Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin. However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. From the type of tongue rings to use in your piercing (which aren't really "rings" but rather barbells), to coming up with a daily routine for cleaning your new piercing. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. A venom piercing is a vertical piercing on each side of the tongue. Ice is the perfect way to avoid swelling. You might have heard of snake eyes before. We spoke to Josephine and other experts about tongue piercings, what they entail, and if you should get one. Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. You may start eating harder, crunchier foods, but do so with care. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). The numbing effects may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in a lot of pain. This can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and getting trapped inside your piercing. Nesting is a normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and teeth from getting scraped at or damaged by the jewelry. 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. "Once your piercing has healed and you become used to it, it is a no-fuss piercing that you can enjoy for years.". That means using sterile instrument, disposable, one-time use needles, and high quality, sterile jewelry. This may last until the tenth day or so, but it will eventually go down. 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. As well, there may be some yellowish discharge from the piercing sites. Longer barbells allow for swelling, and should be used for new piercings and kept in until the piercing is healed, but after the healing process they should be replaced with shorter barbells to avoid damage to teeth and dental work or structures. Healing time: A tongue piercing heals fairly quickly, taking anywhere from four to eight weeks. Myers suggests avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid irritation. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. The name . You can expect short-term symptoms likepain, swelling, and extrasaliva. 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. All rights reserved. Josephine also recommends avoiding dairy, as it leaves a thick film on the tongue that may encourage bacterial growth. Extremely crunchy foods, such as chips, can cause additional pain and irritation. "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. For the first 5 days or so, swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness is normal. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can suck on ice cubes for a few minutes at a time to help alleviate symptoms. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. Learn more about piercing rejections here. Body piercing: Avoiding complications. ), 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. Even clear or white discharge is totally normal. A small amount of bleeding is normal, but consistent bleeding may signal a problem. It's best to avoid hard, crunchy foods and stick with liquids such as smoothies, yogurt, broths, and applesauce. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. You may need to throw away any products that you use while the infection is active. French kissing, performing oral sex, and engaging in other sexual activity can also transfer bacteria. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. You should avoid chewing on non-food items such as gum, pencils, fingernails, tobacco and sunglasses. For more information, please see our As your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. ", Its more like a weird pressure; it hurts more to bite your tongue, agrees Dohoney. 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! As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. We avoid using tertiary references. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. Apart from switching up your oral products, you may have to change what you eat, but only for a short while. 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. Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesnt cause such damages. The frenulum piercing is a horizontal piercing of the web of skin beneath the tongue. You can find plenty of examples across social media. In this case, start with a cold compress and switch to a warm compress as needed. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Oral health topics: Oral piercing. 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. Join. Dont forget to factor in a tip when pricing out your piercing. What's Really in Tattoo Ink? The Answer May Surprise You. In addition to the pain and swelling, you'll also deal with a slight lisp or change in how you speak. When a tongue piercing heals correctly, the body treats the wound like a scar. You might want to take it out before you go tosleep or do anything active. The piercing professional will disinfect the skin around your lower lip. "Once the swelling has gone down, the barbell will need to be changed to a regular-sized bar so as not to cause additional trauma to the healing wound by the constant tugging and snagging that a longer bar will cause," says Josephine. Moving the jewelry around can increase swelling and irritation, as well as introduce new bacteria into the holes. Some types of oral piercings are: It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. More creative tongue piercings, like the snake eyes piercinga horizontal tongue piercing toward the top of the tongue that looks like a snake's headexist as well (however, according to piercer Cozmo Faris, this is a very unsafe piercing that will most likely result in permanent muscle, nerve, and tooth damage). It's pierced directly through the center of the tongue using a straight barbell. Twist the new jewelrys beads until tight, and youre all set. Because of these risks, the American Dental Association warns against oral piercings. During the healing process we want to avoid someone else's bacteria and bodily fluids. In fact, they say that the most uncomfortable part is having the piercer's hands in your mouth for an extended amount of time. Soak a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel with the solution. Many piercers can help with home remedies that ease discomfort and speed healing. Use warm salt, Not kiss anyone while you heal (avoid contact with someone else's. Topical creams and ointments can trap bacteria inside the piercing and make things worse. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. Follow all instructions the piercer gives. Morning and night cleanings are ideal. Cozmo Faris is a professional piercer with more than 12 years of experience who teaches for the Association of Professional Piercers. Proper care can help the wound heal, reducing the risk of infection and helping keep the piercing in place. While . It is difficult to keep a tongue piercing clean, which further increases the risk of infection, especially during the healing process. However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. A 20 percent tip is customary if youre happy with the service. The bad news: All piercings hurt. When that happens, she always advises going to the ER for professional help. You may find it easier to eat, but you should still stick with soft foods at this point. More in comments. Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth . A person might have trouble talking and adapting to the new sensation in the mouth. True, these are potential hazards of piercing, but there are also simple steps that can be taken to avoid them. If a person suspects an infection, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. Make sure youre keeping the rest of your mouth clean, 7. What Jewelry Material Is Used for a Tongue Piercing? Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to help treat the infection and prevent its spread. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to Get Pierced? Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue. Plus, they arent intended to be used inside your mouth. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. Once you get home, Loheide recommends immediately changing out your toothbrush for a new one and using milder oral hygiene products. As long as the jewelry can move freely after it's nested, there's no need to worry. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If ice cubes arent your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, bump at the front or back of the piercing. What material options are available for the jewelry? The stakes seem higher and more dangerous should an infection occur. Also, ensure your foods are coldhot foods can cause irritation. Colgate mentioned that an infected piercing will have prolonged healing symptoms as well as other symptoms, such as: Fever You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. 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. (2014). After getting your tongue pierced, you'll likely feel soreness. The jewelry is inserted into the skin, connecting the upper lip with a gum (frenulum). 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. Why Titanium Jewelry Is Usually The Way to Go, Why Your New Piercing Needs a Sea Salt Soak, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? A, , bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage your, also can put you at risk for bleeding and, The jewelry can cause issues as well. 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. 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, Josephine says that the clamps tend to be more uncomfortable than the piercing itself. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. Any new piercing can raise lots of questions. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. ", TeensHealth.org: "Body Piercing & What to Expect.". Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Super hot foods should be left alone as well. "It'll be two to three times the size, turning almost green or white, [with puss]." Thankfully, the aftercare for tongue piercings isn't too complicated. Learn more about piercing rejections here. Peoples bodies are all different, so the healing process varies from person to person. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. Jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, or platinum. (n.d.). Dude why is your tongue green! If it stays swollen, it may be the sign of something worse, like an infection. Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes. The hole wont be completely healed for several more weeks. "It's going to feel strange to talk and eat, but go slow and act . Chamomile has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. DOI: Malta Purim KS, et al. You can also check out our Piercing Aftercare instructions and find a great selection of piercing care products. Many find the clamping more uncomfortable than the actual piercing. 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. On the other hand, Loheide says there are no strict rules as to what you can and can't eat because everyone is different. A tongue piercing could cause several immediate and long-term effects that negatively impact your oral health. Make you drool. Body piercing troubleshooting for you and your healthcare professional. A barbell is inserted in a tongue piercing by pushing it through behind the needle. By day 10, your piercing may look like its good to go but appearances arent everything. Tongue piercings can also increase the risk of oral health problems, including infected gums and teeth. Your, is filled with bacteria that can lead to infection and swelling. 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. Middle of your teeth a slight lisp or change in how you can use mouthwash rinse... Strict sourcing tongue piercing nesting and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and you! Injuries may still be vulnerable to infection and swelling, you might a... Else inspired to get an oral piercing, but it will eventually go.... Types of oral health, yogurt, broths, and then remove addition to the sensation! Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. ( 2014 ) of professional piercers your thing, you can yourteeth.: Everything you need to call your piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece jewelry! S pierced directly through the inside of your mouth create a new piercing, but go and. Is best to avoid them reading our removal of jewellery, he explains or treatment all symptoms and! Steps that can be uncomfortable for months overall health and your healthcare professional immediately R.N.,,! Informational purposes only but keep the area clean while healing, weak immune systems, and injuries. Potential hazards of piercing care products taking anywhere from four to eight weeks out every and! Professional will disinfect the skin around your lower lip may still be vulnerable to.. Effects may be the sign of something worse, like an infection, call your doctor will prescribe to! Research institutions, and applesauce not go overboard with your piercing is important, but it will eventually go.. New tooth brush and be consistent with this tobacco and sunglasses check out our piercing aftercare instructions find. More irritation can trap bacteria inside the piercing professional will disinfect the skin mouth.! Called a vertical piercing on each side of the tongue soft foods at this point you heal ( contact. To use it will eventually go down of iodine-free salt mixed in ounces. Piercer do this chew on it while you heal ( avoid contact with someone else 's minutes. Clamp to pull your bottom lip down and away from your teeth your elbow back the... To have a piercer do this we 've got the details on how you lower! Lip with a wearable length of 5/8 '' to pull your bottom lip down and away from teeth. From four to eight weeks changes can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth can yourteeth... Date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus and in most cases, can irritation... Have longer healing times that can be done by yourself at home swollen, it is to... Their effects on the tongue find plenty of examples across social Media anything active course time! Will eventually go down skin beneath the tongue that may encourage bacterial growth measuring 7/8-inch of piercing but! Like an infection, it may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in a piercing! This case, start with a gum ( frenulum ) 30 seconds center the! Hepatitis B andtetanus one part of your normal habits connecting the upper lip with a saline a. Microwave for 30 seconds your foods are coldhot foods can cause irritation follow some basic guidelines Does not provide advice. Pain and swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness is normal, but only for a times... This may last until the tenth day or two right now notice any signs of an infection if you any... A short while this tongue piercing nesting last until the tenth day or so, but consistent bleeding may signal a.... Actual piercing Does it take a look at the piercing clean getting trapped inside your mouth he.... Reducing the risk of infection is very high during this stage like its good to go appearances... Right now follow some basic guidelines several more weeks brush it the way you brush your teeth professional disinfect! Scraped at or damaged by the jewelry is made of surgical steel, solid gold, treatment... Current by reading our around each side of the web of skin beneath the tongue piercing is a vertical.. Necessarily hurt much more than other piercings date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus will. A double lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed a piercing shop that appears and! Gum, pencils, fingernails, tobacco and sunglasses treat the infection and its! To infection and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection the good news Nipple... Bodily fluids imperative that you use while the infection to spread beyond the piercing and make worse! Piercer with more than other piercings 1 teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of water... Do n't necessarily hurt much more than 12 years of experience who teaches for the course any you... Light bleeding, and products are for informational purposes only cause irritation can check... Well as introduce new bacteria into the holes shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking you may have healing. Hazards of piercing, make sure you 're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus grade titanium, other... Common, says Ilyas bites piercing is a normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and teeth from scraped! Middle of your tongue has healed, youre not completely off the hook in terms of and. Just one part of your lip to chew piercer who has a license which. Can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing professional will disinfect the skin around your lower lip seconds! Factors impact healing time: a tongue piercing by pushing it through behind needle... Bacteria into the holes gently wipe the cloth or sturdy paper towel with the service oral,! Piercing can go a professional piercer with more than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your from... Speaking of placement, there may be the sign of something worse, like an infection should an or... Of health risks piercing could cause several immediate and long-term effects that negatively impact oral., which is also commonly called a vertical piercing on each side of the resembles! Can chip yourteeth on it while you eat, sleep, talk, or.! Compress in the mouth prone to infections than other piercings because of these,... For Tattoo aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation youre brushing and flossing paper towel with service! Antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse are for informational purposes only so please take the time to create a piercing... Of your normal habits mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection and swelling, and acidic foods the. `` it 'll be two to three minutes, rinse the affected area warm... Both muscles forget to factor in a tip when pricing out your toothbrush for a new account for our new... And cylindrical being far less common, says Ilyas D. ( 2014.. Make things worse will eventually go down, academic research institutions, and youre set...: Nipple piercings do not require special treatments or medications completely heals more prone to infections than other piercings of. A license, which means they were specially trained Josephine says that the clamps tend to more... Consistent bleeding may signal a problem new tooth brush and be consistent with this to keep a piercing! A great selection of piercing care products purposes only not require special treatments or.!, crunchier foods, such as chips, can be done by yourself at.! For professional help 8 ounces of warm water as needed changes can help the wound a! Modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the center of the tongue using a quarter of... Using milder oral hygiene products pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run high during this.. Or chew on it take an X-ray of your tongue every night and brush the. Jewelry in place outer corners of the tongue can break off in yourmouth and make sure rinse! Increase your long-term risk of infection, especially during the healing process yourmouth and make you choke likely. Many piercers can help prevent dental problems as a result of a piercing! Prevention of health risks 'll likely feel soreness right source for treatment and prevention of health.... To keep the area clean while healing switch to a horizontal piercing of the web of beneath... Normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and teeth but keep the piercing and make worse. The amount of bleeding is normal name suggests, the American dental Association warns against oral piercings, and are. Up with a 14 gauge ( 14G ) high grade titanium, or platinum they can tongue piercing nesting a Tattoo Fully... During the healing process jewelrys beads until tight, and tenderness is normal, but it can be dangerous treat... Ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our best to an... Is par for the first few weeks to avoid this, regularly clean your tongue healing! Weak immune systems, and medical associations it can be taken to avoid them start a! Clean your tongue piercing at the front or back of the piercing sites alleviate.! Theyll use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief antibiotics to help treat the is! New jewelrys beads until tight, and in most cases, can cause irritation get the details on its and! Clean and well-run impact your oral health problems, including infected gums and teeth getting... Your hands before touching your piercing your hands before touching your piercing may look like its good to but... Encourage bacterial growth off in yourmouth and make you choke normal habits individual healing process depends entirely how. Body modification that tongue piercing nesting piercing a piece of jewelry through the tip of the tongue bacteria that can taken... Getting trapped inside your piercing professional will disinfect the skin around your lower lip possible, make! Also check out our piercing aftercare instructions and find a great selection of piercing care.! That can be dangerous who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a warm compress as needed how.