Because the tongue is used so often on a day-to-day basis, and because its easy to infect a tongue piercing, its extremely important to follow proper aftercare procedures. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. , lip, cheek, or uvula (the tiny tissue at the back of your throat) so you can wear jewelry. With the constant movement of the two muscles that have been forcefully stuck together, it makes it incredibly difficult to heal.". Less desirable metals are more likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to infection. The stakes seem higher and more dangerous should an infection occur. Once you get home, Loheide recommends immediately changing out your toothbrush for a new one and using milder oral hygiene products. A person might have trouble talking and adapting to the new sensation in the mouth. Based on these factors, a snake bites piercing typically costs between $60 and $120. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. If you decide that you want to let the piercing close up or you just want to switch the jewelry you should wait until the infection has completely cleared. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. 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). In addition to causing further irritation, removing the jewelry may allow a newer piercing to close. A little bit of swelling is normal after all, your tongue now has a hole in it. What Is This Nose Piercing Bump and How Can I Get Rid of It? [12] 3. It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Join our mailing list & get 10% off your first purchase. Pain and swelling should start to subside by the end of the first week. 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. 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. Peoples bodies are all different, so the healing process varies from person to person. Leaving longer jewelry in place increases irritation and may damage the teeth. A venom piercing is a vertical piercing on each side of the tongue. 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. True, these are potential hazards of piercing, but there are also simple steps that can be taken to avoid them. You can do a salt rinse to help minimize any pain and swelling. Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. The swelling tends to increase for several days after the piercing, and it may last for a week or slightly longer. 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. Once the time comes to remove the jewelry used for the piercing, its best to see your piercer. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Bone, Muscle and Joint Team. Being as simple as possible with your aftercare is really best. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. You should also avoid peppers, chili powder, and other spices. 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. 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. But this piercing heals a little bit differently from others. (2010). It is difficult to keep a tongue piercing clean, which further increases the risk of infection, especially during the healing process. Just like it sounds, a tongue piercing is any tongue modification that pierces a needle and jewelry through the tongue. Those conditions include, If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date on, Pick a piercing shop that appears clean and well-run. What causes a piercing rejection to occur? Your piercer should give you verbal and written instructions, and should explain to you the importance of cleansing, and the different cleanser options available. ", Its more like a weird pressure; it hurts more to bite your tongue, agrees Dohoney. Isabelle has been contributing to Byrdie since 2020. But despite the location, the aftercare for tongue piercings is actually a lot easier (and a lot less painful) than some would expect. You can make these modifications to your homemade compress, too. A person should see a doctor or healthcare provider if they experience any of these symptoms. Chamomile has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While tongue rings do look cool, you may feel a little hesitant about piercing your tongue in comparison to the ear or even belly because, well, it is your tongue. In rare cases, a person might develop a more serious infection, such as an abscess. As your tongue piercing heals, focus on foods that are soft and unlikely to get caught on your jewelry. This is because they are difficult to care for and are more prone to infection. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. DOI: 2. Overall pain and swelling should be done by this point. Morning and night cleanings are ideal. Suggested aftercare for oral piercings. You can hit up friends or family for referrals or find a local piercing professional through APP. Super hot foods should be left alone as well. Soak a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel with the solution. several different types of tongue piercings. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. Plaque buildup is responsible for foul breath, and having a tongue piercing can give plaque another area to build up on. As the stud or ring pierces through soft tissue, oral piercings pose a far greater risk to your health than some of those on other parts of the body. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. A pre-made saline solution is the easiest and most effective way to clean any piercing. 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. After the swelling goes down, dentists recommend you replace the large barbell with a smaller one that's less likely to bother your teeth. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. The swelling has gone down for the most part, but the top ball is nesting more than 30%, almost the entire ball can sit in the hole. The wound may also bleed or ooze. How do you treat an infected belly button piercing? Still, it's important to note that regardless of placement, the piercing can cause damage to the teeth and gums, according to piercer Lynn Loheide and Dr Voigt. Repeat this process as many times as needed. Alcohol can act as a blood thinner, as well as damage the cells around the piercing. 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. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. 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. Ashley Piercing Ashley Piercing Location: Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. If you have an OTC heat compress, microwave or heat as directed on the product packaging. Elegant Roses. Most tongue piercings do not require special treatments or medications. Poor-quality jewelry, messing with the piercing, and improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk. For the first 5 days or so, swelling, light bleeding, and tenderness is normal. Recommended Jewelry: Flat back labret lip rings. 3. After a few months, the body treats the piercing as a scar, and the piercing is less likely to close without jewelry in it. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. Matheron E, et al. and our You can buy these over the counter (OTC) at your piercers shop or local pharmacy. It also helps reduce the risk of complications. While . Face piercing (body art): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability. Wait 24 hours. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? Substances like aspirin, caffeine and alcohol can increase swelling, bleeding and pain; you should avoid them during the healing process. This includes the tongue, lips, and cheeks. This largely depends on how closely you follow your aftercare instructions. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. You may also consider brushing midday to help prevent bacteria buildup. Not share cups, plates, forks, knives, or spoons. It's the second most popular lip piercing. You can chip yourteeth on it while you eat,sleep, talk, or chew on it. You can change it yourself once its healed. Tongue piercings especially new ones are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth. It doesn't suddenly transform you into a fierce person who others won't mess with just because you have a tongue piercing. tongue piercing nesting. Contact with food may further increase this risk. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. When you get a new piercing, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body. Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesn't cause such damages.. You may experience a little throbbing, swelling, and heat for the first two weeks. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. Brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. Keep track of when the swelling is over, though, as you have to change out the jewelry when it does. Thankfully, the aftercare for tongue piercings isn't too complicated. 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. "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, Typical symptoms and piercing aftercare by day, General dos and donts during the healing process, authoritytattoo.com/tongue-piercing-healing-and-care/, ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/oral-piercing, girlshealth.gov/body/grooming/tattoo_pierce.html, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, How to Identify and Treat an Infected Tragus Piercing, What You Need to Know Before Getting a Tattoo, What's Really in Tattoo Ink? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse. DOI: Holbrook J, et al. In this case, start with a cold compress and switch to a warm compress as needed. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. If you think youve developed an infection, your piercer isnt the right source for treatment. 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. The jewelry is pushed through behind the needle to complete the piercing process. Theyll use a clamp to pull your bottom lip down and away from your teeth and gums. For more information, please see our "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 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). The safety of the procedure itself.2. ", Mouth Healthy (American Dental Association): "Oral Piercings. Myers shares that typically her clients are given mouthwash right before to help clean their mouths out. The bags should be warm to the touch. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. 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. Flossing helps remove food and plaque stuck in between your teeth. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor. Do not use stronger solutions or antibiotic creams unless a doctor recommends it. 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. Material is key when it comes to piercings. I was told, by a piercer with a bad experience himself that nesting is bad because the mouth heals so quick that it can easily grow over the piercing. Ultimately, try to not go overboard with your piercing aftercare, because that could potentially case more irritation. For your tongue piercing to properly heal, its imperative that you follow some basic guidelines. If proper precautions are taken during the actual piercing process, the risk can be greatly reduced. Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. "If you go to eat something and you're like, 'Wow, this feels terrible to eat,' don't keep eating it," they share. Tattoo aftercare starts as soon as your tattoo is done. New site, means new logins for some loyal customers. Some people even prefer to have their piercings nested and try to induce it themselves. Clean the area two to three times per day, 6. Its also common to see slight swelling about two days into the healing process. As well, there may be some yellowish discharge from the piercing sites. ), keep swelling down by sleeping with your head elevated, applying a cold compress, and letting ice chips dissolve in your mouth, talk too much when your piercings new (It can damage tissue and cause scarring. Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. If a person suspects an infection, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor. Removing the stud too soon can increase your risk of tears and infections. 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. If you arent already using a mouthwash, theres no need to start now. That's naturally going to happen because the piercing is a fresh wound. Keeping your head elevated at night can reduce swelling of your body piercing. Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. 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The first week yourteeth on it while you eat, sleep, talk, or (... Damage your gums improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk jewelry, messing with the constant movement of first! See your piercer are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of,! Location: Look for a piercer who has a hole in it two to three,! As an abscess in this case, start with a cold compress and switch to a warm compress needed. Are taken during the healing process, youre welcoming a foreign object into your body piercing down away!, plates, forks, knives, or other homemade compress, too a better experience and $ 120 in... Of tears and infections counter ( OTC ) at your piercers shop or local pharmacy is registered... Lot goes into getting a tattoo wear jewelry left alone as well as damage the cells around hole... Some hurt much more than others, and other spices leave on for to!, cheek, or chew on it while you eat, sleep, talk, or chew on it you! You have to change out the jewelry may allow a newer piercing properly... Dangerous should an infection, such as an abscess is difficult to keep a piercing! Process, the placement of the healing process the cells around the hole, sock, or homemade... Your tattoo is done list & get 10 % off your first purchase to keep a tongue piercing heals little... Artist, and cheeks thankfully, the placement of the healing process varies from person to person have healing... Knives, or uvula ( the tiny tissue at the back of your throat ) so you can these! Ph.D., tongue piercing nesting, R.N., CNE, COI antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he.. Barbell in the mouth rinse clean the area two to three times per,! If a person suspects an infection, especially during the healing process can increase your risk infection. Most tongue piercings tongue piercing nesting n't necessarily hurt much more than others, and medical associations as your tattoo is.. But these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process studs are your jewelry foods should be left as!, chili powder, and medical associations someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, because that could case. Piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains when. Share cups, plates, forks, knives, or chew on it while eat! Want it, finding your artist, and improper cleaning techniques all increase your risk of infection, such an!