Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. 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. We spoke to Josephine and other experts about tongue piercings, what they entail, and if you should get one. It's a sneaky piercing as well, as it stays hidden when your mouth is closed but demands attention when its open. Make you drool. If you dont want to take a temporary hiatus, cut back on your usual intake until the infection clears. French kissing, performing oral sex, and engaging in other sexual activity can also transfer bacteria. Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018. It may also be tempting to take the jewelry out, but this can actually do more harm than good. There are multiple types of tongue piercings, though. (2011). For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. 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. 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. 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. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. This piercing type gets one of the cutest lip piercing names thanks to its functionality. Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. On the other hand, Loheide says there are no strict rules as to what you can and can't eat because everyone is different. Tongue piercings can add a little edge to your look, if you're willing to risk the pain. Youll be given aftercare instructions to follow. Mouth and tongue piercings also may: Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow. What risks are associated with this piercing? By this stage in the healing process, it should have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal. During the healing process we want to avoid someone else's bacteria and bodily fluids. (2012). They can take a look at the piercing and make specific recommendations for cleaning and care. At the minimum, you should wash your mouth two to three times a day with a sea salt rinse or non-alcohol mouthwash. To do this: OTC antibiotics have long been used to treat infections. When its ready, follow the same steps for cleansing with premade saline. Apply the tea bag to the inside of your elbow. Be prepared to pay a good price for quality jewelrysomething you definitely shouldnt skimp on. Remove the tea bags and allow them to cool for about 30 seconds. Before touching the piercing, always wash the hands thoroughly and only use sterile, new jewelry intended for the tongue. Ludwigs angina is an infection that can occur in your mouth. 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. When shopping for new jewelry, you need to know what your piercing's size is. Regular cleansing is the best way to flush out bacteria and prevent further irritation. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. However, as with all piercings, theyre not totally without risk. While this is true, our saliva actually contains naturally occurring antimicrobials that get rid of the potentially harmful toxins that may enter. MS: Can the Mediterranean diet help preserve cognitive health? After a few days, the wound may also ooze a whitish or clear fluid. Consult with your piercer to choose body jewelry that is appropriately sized, is of the right material, and is well made. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. This includes eating what you want, getting intimate, and switching out your jewelry. , lip, cheek, or uvula (the tiny tissue at the back of your throat) so you can wear jewelry. Oral Contact. Aftercare: To care for a tongue piercing, wash it two to three times daily with a sea salt rinse and avoid any activity that will cause additional swelling or irritation until its fully healedaround four to eight weeks. Join our mailing list & get 10% off your first purchase. It is important that you remember that this is an open wound in your mouth during healing time, says Josephine. Matheron E, et al. GETTING MY TONGUE PIERCING (healing process, my experience) LEX DAKOTA 1.44K subscribers Subscribe 24K views 1 year ago hi guys! However, your individual healing process depends entirely on how you care for your new piercing. Tongues heal quickly, which means that the piercing may close if a person removes the jewelry, even for a short period of time. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. Make sure youre keeping the rest of your mouth clean, 7. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The bags should be warm to the touch. Being as simple as possible with your aftercare is really best. People whove had it done rate the pain around 35 on a pain scale with 10 being the highest. 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. 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. Halloran L. (2015). People with certain conditions that might make it hard for the piercing to heal are particularly at risk for health problems. Every piercing appointment begins with a consultation to discuss the piercing and the jewelry you want. This can prolong your healing time and increase your risk of complications. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. Swelling associated with tongue piercings can get pretty wild. Steep a chamomile tea bag in warm water for two to three minutes. What to know about gargling with salt water. 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. Overall pain and swelling should be done by this point. Also, use a new toothbrush after getting a new tongue piercing. 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. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. Srivastava JK, et al. 3. To clean the outside of the piercing, dab sea salt on the piercing 2 to 3 times daily and wash with mild anti-microbial soap up to twice a day. Oral cleansers that contain hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and other antibacterial ingredients can also harm healthy skin cells and slow down the healing process. Remember that piercings heal from the outside in, so it might look healed even though its not. Learn about its symptoms and causes. Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2018, A tongue piercing officially takes six and eight weeks to completely heal. "We use surgical grade stainless steel barbells or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [prefer]," says Dohoney. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. Although tongue piercings are quick to heal compared to other piercings, theyre extremely vulnerable to infections. When properly performed and properly cared for, most body piercings will typically heal fast with minimal discomfort, swelling and bleeding. Unless your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking routine. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. Tongue piercing not that risky, but things can go wrong. [11] 2. Mild infections can typically be treated at home. Here's What to Know, If You're Getting a Belly Button Piercing, Here's What You Should Know, Dimple Piercings Are Exactly What They Sound LikeHere's What to Expect, The Complete Guide to Getting a Double Ear Piercing. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the surrounding areas. Bumps are. When you arrive at your appointment, don't be surprised if the piercer starts analyzing your mouth. There are a few other things you should take into consideration for healing lip piercings as well. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. 3. But New York City-based piercer Jenna Myers says that there tends to be a pretty big distinction between the two. "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." Its also common to see slight swelling about two days into the healing process. You should still clean your piercing once its healed, but youll have more flexibility in how often you do so. 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. Then, a needletypically a 14 gauge, says Dohoneyis pushed through the tongue to create the actual piercing. Rings are just that: rings that wrap around the lip. Proper care can help the wound heal, reducing the risk of infection and helping keep the piercing in place. Dont forget to factor in a tip when pricing out your piercing. Snake Bite Piercings. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. The true sexual sensations come from the dichotomy of textures the softness of the tongue paired with the hardness of the piercing. You can also check out our Piercing Aftercare instructions and find a great selection of piercing care products. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. If proper precautions are taken during the actual piercing process, the risk can be greatly reduced. It also helps reduce the risk of complications. 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. Soak a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel with the solution. Steep two chamomile tea bags in freshly boiled water for five minutes. For more information, please see our Flossing helps remove food and plaque stuck in between your teeth. DOI: Holbrook J, et al. Included is detail on avoiding infection and, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Damage your tongue, gums, or fillings. Moving the jewelry around can increase swelling and irritation, as well as introduce new bacteria into the holes. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. By placing this order you are planting one more tree in the Ecologi FreshTrends forest. A warm compress can also minimize overall swelling and irritation. Your body is really good at healing itself.". Find out more about tongue piercings here. Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Do tongue piercings make your breath smell? 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. Considering laser tattoo removal? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All rights reserved. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. Follow all instructions the piercer gives. 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. May hurt for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained getting MY piercing... 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That is appropriately sized, is of the potentially harmful toxins that may enter on October,... 14 gauge, says Dohoneyis pushed through the tongue and properly cared for, most body piercings typically! It stays hidden when your mouth during healing time and increase your risk of complications 's size.. Your healing time, says Josephine diagnosis, or treatment piercing is any tongue that!
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