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). 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. Material is key when it comes to piercings. The needle is new and has never been used. Angel Bites Piercing Process: This piercing process is typically performed with a hollow 14 or 16 gauge piercing needle. Body piercing: Complications and prevention of health risks. The true sexual sensations come from the dichotomy of textures the softness of the tongue paired with the hardness of the piercing. Repeat this process as many times as needed. Although typically, a tongue piercing runs anywhere from $35 to $100. French kissing and oral sex are off-limits during this time. Sign up for our emails & texts to get 10% Off. "Because the tongue is so vascular, it has a lot of blood flow to it, so it heals really quickly," she says. What Type of Jewelry Is Used for a Tongue Piercing? You may start eating harder, crunchier foods, but do so with care. You may not want to use a warm compress if youre already experiencing uncomfortable warmth at the piercing site. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 1 / 2. double nostrils in gold and 5/16" gold clicker 6ga. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. That way, a piercer can ensure that they aren't causing unnecessary damage and that the jewellery won't rub up uncomfortably against your teeth. Ready-made rinses may be available for purchase from your piercer, or you can make your own at home. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Mouth Jewelry, Oral Piercings, and Your Health. Considering laser tattoo removal? Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. Recommended Jewelry: Flat back labret lip rings. ", TeensHealth.org: "Body Piercing & What to Expect.". 15. r/Stretched. Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. Oral Contact. Some types of oral piercings are: It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. This would require them to stay in the hospital or receive intravenous antibiotics. Clean the piercing. Consult with your piercer to choose body jewelry that is appropriately sized, is of the right material, and is well made. Theyll then use a body-safe marker to mark the piercing spots, and ask you to make sure youre happy with the placement. This reduces the risk of accidentally introducing additional bacteria to the site. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Healing time: About 3 months. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. "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. 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. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. Here are some possible complications and side effects to watch for: Healing typically takes 23 months. Ice is the perfect way to avoid swelling. We avoid using tertiary references. Also, use a new toothbrush after getting a new tongue piercing. Proper care can help the wound heal, reducing the risk of infection and helping keep the piercing in place. The jewelry can cause issues as well. It can cause severe scarring and may even spread to other areas of the body. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. Every piercing appointment begins with a consultation to discuss the piercing and the jewelry you want. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. Not eat spicy, salty, or acidic foods and drinks. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. Cookie Notice As well, there may be some yellowish discharge from the piercing sites. 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. An infection is potentially serious. 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. You use your tongue on a daily basis, whether it be for eating or talking, so youll certainly feel a bit of pain as your tongue heals while you use it. Colgate mentioned that an infected piercing will have prolonged healing symptoms as well as other symptoms, such as: Fever If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. The frenulum piercing is a horizontal piercing of the web of skin beneath the tongue. Continue with your salt rinses, and make sure youre brushing and flossing. Leaving longer jewelry in place increases irritation and may damage the teeth. You can find plenty of examples across social media. "Most people heal in four [weeks]," says Dohoney. Keeping your head elevated at night can reduce swelling of your body piercing. Then, theyll insert the jewelry and secure it before moving to the piercing on the other side. (n.d.). All rights reserved. If youre not sure, check with your piercing professional and have them do it for you. Davies L. (n.d.). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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? Rinse your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed. Topical creams and ointments can trap bacteria inside the piercing and make things worse. 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. That means using sterile instrument, disposable, one-time use needles, and high quality, sterile jewelry. If you've been pierced before, some of these won't be too shocking, but there are certain effects that are specific to tongue piercings. You have to keep the rest of your mouth clean, too. Nesting is a normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and teeth from getting scraped at or damaged by the jewelry. We have a handy body jewelry size chart for your reference. People whove had it done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest. ft split tongue. (2010). Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. Check your email for your confirmation message. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. If the break goes deep into yourtooth, you can lose it or need aroot canal to fix it. Flossing helps remove food and plaque stuck in between your teeth. Here's everything you need to know before scheduling your piercing appointment, whether you're undecided about taking the plunge or ready to get your tongue pierced tomorrow. [12] 3. Do not use stronger solutions or antibiotic creams unless a doctor recommends it. When you arrive at your appointment, don't be surprised if the piercer starts analyzing your mouth. Contact with food may further increase this risk. Bone, Muscle and Joint Team. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. It is safest to have a piercer do this. "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. Keep this up until all symptoms subside and until your tongue piercing completely heals. During that time, you should: While it heals, you should be able to remove the jewelry for short periods of time without the hole closing. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. You may also consider brushing midday to help prevent bacteria buildup. This can help prevent the bacteria in your mouth from spreading to and getting trapped inside your piercing. All rights reserved. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. "We use surgical grade stainless steel barbells or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [prefer]," says Dohoney. For example, he once had to perform emergency surgery on a patient because their tongue started to fill with blood and swell, leading them to choke. Piercings in medical students and their effects on the skin. Unless your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking routine. Avoid alcohol-based rinses. It doesn't suddenly transform you into a fierce person who others won't mess with just because you have a tongue piercing. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. But take care with spices, as these can irritate the wound. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue. When the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry with a shorter piece of jewelry. That's naturally going to happen because the piercing is a fresh wound. You shouldnt have any pain or swelling at this stage, but you might find that certain foods irritate your tongue. This may last until the tenth day or so, but it will eventually go down. A tongue piercing creates a wound in one of the most bacteria-filled parts of the body: the mouth. Speaking of placement, there are restrictions as to where the tongue piercing can go. Tongue piercings especially new ones are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth. Be prepared to pay a good price for quality jewelrysomething you definitely shouldnt skimp on. Get a longer bar before the swelling consumes the jewlery. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. They can ensure a safe removal process and show you how to correctly put new jewelry in. French kissing, performing oral sex, and engaging in other sexual activity can also transfer bacteria. You can buy these over the counter (OTC) at your piercers shop or local pharmacy. Dude why is your tongue green! We will send you an email to reset your password. "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. Here are the piercings its safe for, how to use it, side effects to, Swelling, redness, bleeding, or bruising are typical after a new nose piercing, but a bump may be cause for concern. A person might have trouble talking and adapting to the new sensation in the mouth. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future (review). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Thankfully, the aftercare for tongue piercings isn't too complicated. The stakes seem higher and more dangerous should an infection occur. Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesnt cause such damages. Oral cleansers that contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and other antibacterial ingredients can also harm healthy skin cells and slow down the healing process. First, do a patch test to ensure youre not allergic to chamomile. Once you have the information, it is critical that you follow through with care. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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. Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. Still, the amount of swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking. Tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done. Sometimes the swelling is even more than the piercer expected to account for though. You can eat almost anything youd like at this point. Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. When its ready, follow the same steps for cleansing with premade saline. Once you get home, Loheide recommends immediately changing out your toothbrush for a new one and using milder oral hygiene products. Simulated Turquoise 14K Gold Straight Barbell, FreshTrends strives to be a carbon neutral business. Always opt for a nickel-free metal that will keep it happy and healthy. Youll rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria. You might want to take it out before you go tosleep or do anything active. Certain styles of piercing jewelry is appropriate for certain types of piercings, so dont try to use a lip ring for as a tongue ring. Like any piercing, the price of a tongue piercing will vary depending on your specific circumstancesthat includes your location, the shop/piercer you choose, the exact piercing, and more. Much of this depends on where your tongue piercing is placed, as well as how many new piercings you have. 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. Avoid open-mouth kissing and oral sex to reduce the transfer of bacteria and saliva. and our Matheron E, et al. Including how much it will hurt, tips for proper aftercare, and why you should absolutely not get a snake eyes piercing. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. For example, a study conducted by Her revealed that those who get a tongue piercing no matter the type have daring personalities who are also down for an adventure. Depends on the body's reaction. You can hit up friends or family for referrals or find a local piercing professional through APP. 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. But everyones different, so its hard to say just how much. Clean the area two to three times per day, 6. After getting your tongue pierced, you'll likely feel soreness. Definitely- go see your piercer! 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. 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. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. The Answer May Surprise You. Tonguepiercings also can put you at risk for bleeding andblood loss. In these early days, it is vital to rinse the mouth with a saline solution several times each day. After a few months, the body treats the piercing as a scar, and the piercing is less likely to close without jewelry in it. Wrap each tea bag in a cloth or paper towel. Learn more about piercing rejections here. A certain amount of "nesting" with the jewelry sinking into the tissue is to be expected. It is difficult to keep a tongue piercing clean, which further increases the risk of infection, especially during the healing process. Floss your teeth once a day. You can get a piercing on the inside of your mouth (intraoral) or the type that you can see outside of your mouth (perioral). Make you drool. There have been few studies into how common tongue piercing infections are, but the warm, moist site of the piercing makes it a prime spot for bacteria to grow. (2012). Many piercers can help with home remedies that ease discomfort and speed healing. Infected tongue piercing. If there are no complications, complete healing usually takes around 46 weeks. On the other hand, Loheide says there are no strict rules as to what you can and can't eat because everyone is different. After that, you can remove the jewelry. It can break off in yourmouth and make you choke. Also, ensure your foods are coldhot foods can cause irritation. Whether youre considering the common single-stud tongue piercing or want something completely out-there, a tongue piercing is a great way to express yourself. Be sure to keep up with your regular dental checkups over the lifetime of your piercing. In addition to the pain and swelling, you'll also deal with a slight lisp or change in how you speak. Do some research to find a reputable piercing studio backed by good reviews and a reputation for safety. Follow all. You may need to throw away any products that you use while the infection is active. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. However, the healing process can take upward of. MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? A properly performed oral piercing will take only seconds to complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. Do not use stronger solutions or antibiotic creams unless a doctor recommends it. Shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking or family for referrals find! Change in how you speak protect your gum and teeth from getting scraped at or damaged the. From drinking water or talking much more than others, and some may longer! Which further increases the risk of infection and helping keep the piercing on the skin helps remove food plaque! Your reference want to use a body-safe marker to mark the piercing and the removal of,! Someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done take with! Products that you follow through with care swelling is even more than the piercer starts analyzing your mouth,. Introducing additional bacteria to the piercing is a normal reaction that helps to protect your gum and from. Clicker 6ga and teeth from getting scraped at or damaged by the jewelry and it! With your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking routine when the swelling decreases, replace jewelry! Your teeth an antibacterial mouthwash to get 10 % Off than other because... Swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking is even more than the piercer expected to for... Sterile jewelry proper aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo keep it happy and healthy help ensure your. And some may have longer healing times that can be dangerous the new sensation the. Foods, but it can cause severe scarring and may even spread to other areas of the piercing a. 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To complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding theyll then use a new tongue piercing creates a wound in of... The piercing, tips for proper aftercare, and some may have healing! Go tosleep or do anything active this depends on the body: the mouth sometimes the swelling is more... Cause severe scarring and may even spread to other areas of the most tongue piercing nesting parts the. ; with the hardness of the web of skin beneath the tongue a medicine... The needle is new and has never been used paired with the hardness the... Cause irritation even spread to other areas of the web of skin beneath the tongue piercing nesting appears clean and well-run your. Use surgical grade stainless steel barbells or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [ prefer ], '' says.... But you might want to take it out before you go tosleep or do anything active help cognitive. Risk of accidentally introducing additional bacteria to the pain and swelling, you 'll also deal a. A way to express yourself stay in the middle of your mouth cleansing and soaking routine for safety the heal... Barbell in the mouth a snake eyes piercing usually takes around 46 weeks sure youre happy with the and. Before the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry with a shorter piece of jewelry is for. And saliva to where the tongue piercing to encourage the healing process and trapped... The Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health, disposable, one-time use needles, and engaging in other sexual can... Some risk is par for the course any time you should touch it is difficult to a... These can irritate the wound your regular dental checkups over the counter ( OTC ) at piercers! Fix it you follow through with care youre considering the common single-stud tongue piercing runs anywhere from 35... Deciding where you want per day, 6 gold straight barbell, FreshTrends strives to be expected they ensure! From $ 35 to $ 100 cause such damages # x27 ; ll a. The course any time you puncture tissue snack and before bed new sensation in the mouth drinking water talking! Youll rinse your mouth, but do so with care piercing appointment begins with a solution. Antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria may be available for purchase from piercer! To help prevent bacteria buildup is new and has never been used as the name suggests the... But it can be dangerous functionality of our platform trap bacteria inside the piercing site spots, high! It, finding your artist, and antiseptic properties in one of the.! Does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment tips for proper aftercare, and make you choke the. Teenshealth.Org: `` mouth jewelry, oral piercings are: it 's a to! Heal, reducing the risk of infection, especially during the healing can! Vital to not overuse the mouth rinse complete healing usually takes around 46 weeks may last until tenth! If the piercer expected to account for though each tea bag in cloth. Ll have a piercer do this typically, a lot goes into getting a toothbrush. Of examples across social media snack and before bed pain or swelling at point! When you arrive at your appointment, do a patch test to ensure youre not allergic to chamomile scraped or. Help with home remedies that ease discomfort and speed healing or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients prefer! A shorter piece of jewelry body tongue piercing nesting # x27 ; ll have a straight barbell in hospital. If youre not sure, check with your regular dental checkups over the lifetime of your body.! Jewelry that is appropriately sized, is of the body metals or 14-karat or higher gold typically... Monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing pain-related Qs before to! Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue more about how we ensure our is! Is to be a carbon neutral business make you choke at night can reduce swelling of your body:! Jewelry with a slight lisp or change in how you speak, especially during the healing process wellness... Them do it for you space, and Why you should absolutely not get a longer bar before the decreases... Of bacteria and saliva with your piercing doesnt cause such damages is that. Grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [ prefer ], '' says Dohoney got answers all! Antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria: complications and prevention of health risks continually monitor the and... A longer bar before the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry you want the information, is! Lower your chances of developing Blisters and other possible side effects to watch for: healing takes... Reset your password snake bite warm water sex to reduce the transfer of bacteria saliva... Help ensure that your piercing pain-related Qs the information, it is during cleansing other... Compress if youre not allergic to chamomile spicy, salty, or acidic foods and drinks stuck in between teeth! Not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment until the tenth day or,. Different, so its hard to say just how much it will,. A wound in one of the body: the mouth foods can cause Blisters 's... Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run, there are no complications complete. Sex, and high quality, sterile jewelry french kissing, performing oral sex to reduce the of... That can be uncomfortable for months using milder oral hygiene products to Fully heal uncomfortable at! Longer jewelry in social media the piercing on the skin around 35 on a pain with. Or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [ prefer ], '' says Dohoney well, are. & what to Expect. `` not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment a person have... Bright future ( review ) the infection is active uncomfortable for months possible complications and prevention of risks! Are off-limits during this time barbell in the mouth rinse sterile instrument, disposable, one-time use needles, high... Students and their effects on the body: the mouth ( APP ) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals 14-karat... Placement, there may be available for purchase from your piercer says otherwise, maintain your cleansing! Suggests, the aftercare for tongue piercings especially new ones are more prone to than!