Yes, you're absolutely right. Speaking of placement, there are restrictions as to where the tongue piercing can go. Peoples bodies are all different, so the healing process varies from person to person. Because the needle is just going through connective tissue rather than cartilage or skin, theres less of a "pain" feeling, and its considered fairly tolerable. Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Super hot foods should be left alone as well. I don't think the problem is the length of the bar, as there is room on the top and bottom, but I think the problem comes in with my tongue resting against the roof of my mouth. Plastargias, I., & Sakellari, D. (2014). Even if everyone you know had a tongue piercing, there are so many possibilities of placement, jewelry choice, and style that yours would still be completely personal to you. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Venom piercings are a bit different: You'll have two barbells instead of one, with each barbell being placed parallel from one another, almost like a snake's teeth. clear or white discharge. You can eliminate salt rinses, but be sure to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any problems. 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. To make things a little clearer, refer to them as paired lower lip piercings if you decide to go for it. Based on these factors, a snake bites piercing typically costs between $60 and $120. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. That means using sterile instrument, disposable, one-time use needles, and high quality, sterile jewelry. It can break off in yourmouth and make you choke. Leave on for up to three minutes, and then remove. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. Basically, any possible arrangement of a vertical or horizontal piercing is possible on the tongue. All rights reserved. A 20 percent tip is customary if youre happy with the service. A tongue bar, particularly a large or heavy one, may knock into the teeth. Get a new tooth brush and be diligent about keeping it clean while healing. If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. It is safest to have a piercer do this. What material options are available for the jewelry? And, for mouth piercings where the jewelry will potentially make contact with your teeth and gums, its especially important. This will also be a more comfortable position as the top of your piercing will be positioned in the higher part of the roof of your mouth where there is more room.The bottom of the tongue piercing should be just in front of the web-like skin under your tongue (known as the lingual frenulum). If you have an OTC heat compress, microwave or heat as directed on the product packaging. A properly performed oral piercing will take only seconds to complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding. Myers suggests avoiding spicy, crunchy, and acidic foods in the first few weeks to avoid irritation. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Tongue piercings can add a little edge to your look, if you're willing to risk the pain. You can hit up friends or family for referrals or find a local piercing professional through APP. Body piercing troubleshooting for you and your healthcare professional. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Your piercer should give you verbal and written instructions, and should explain to you the importance of cleansing, and the different cleanser options available. The actual piercing part of the session is short, just like most other piercings a hollow needle is pushed through the tongue, and then the piercer adds the jewellery, which is a barbell shape. Possible damage to teeth, dental work and oral structures. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. 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. Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC. 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. Next, theyll push a needle through the inside of your lip. "We use surgical grade stainless steel barbells or implant grade titanium barbellswhichever clients [prefer]," says Dohoney. Topical creams and ointments can trap bacteria inside the piercing and make things worse. Between deciding where you want it, finding your artist, and practicing good aftercare, a lot goes into getting a tattoo. Alcohol can act as a blood thinner, as well as damage the cells around the piercing. You may need to throw away any products that you use while the infection is active. You might have heard of snake eyes before. 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. An infection is potentially serious. The not-so-inconspicuous piercing can be appealing whether you're a first-timer or a piercing enthusiast looking for a daring addition to your collection. Mouth and tongue piercings also may: Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow. Angel Bites Piercing Process: This piercing process is typically performed with a hollow 14 or 16 gauge piercing needle. If ice cubes arent your thing, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or soft ice pack to find relief. Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, and other lip products. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Stir until the salt completely dissolves. Brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. Anything beyond that could be a sign of a problem, like an infection. Suck on ice or apply a cold compress | Cold compress. Coffee may also have blood-thinning effects. LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES. You want to look for 14 gauge (14G) tongue barbells with a wearable length of 5/8". (2012). And remember, the cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the piercing, so use caution. Avoid open-mouth kissing and oral sex to reduce the transfer of bacteria and saliva. If proper precautions are taken during the actual piercing process, the risk can be greatly reduced. Other factors impact healing time, too, like your overall health and your piercing professionals skill level. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Placement: Located below the lip on both the left and right side. ft split tongue. 1 / 2. double nostrils in gold and 5/16" gold clicker 6ga. 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. By this stage in the healing process, it should have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal. Pain level: "I would rate mine on the pain scale as a 3/10," says Stubbs. Much of the bacteria is introduced by eating and drinking. Here's why and a look at some other options that may work. What is the risk of infection with a nipple piercing? If you notice any signs of an infection, call your piercing professional or a healthcare professional immediately. Not eat spicy, salty, or acidic foods and drinks. Follow all instructions the piercer gives. If possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating and drinking. All rights reserved. In general, maintaining good oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important. In fact, they say that the most uncomfortable part is having the piercer's hands in your mouth for an extended amount of time. It may also be tempting to take the jewelry out, but this can actually do more harm than good. Avoid oral sexual activity during healing. Check the quality of the body jewelry material to be sure the metal is crafted from high grade titanium or 14k gold. Most piercers recommend using a quarter teaspoon of iodine-free salt mixed in 8 ounces of warm water. Cleaning your piercing is important, but its just one part of a larger care plan. The most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing. The jewelry can cause issues as well. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. This does mean that while an oral piercing is healing, you don't want saliva or bodily fluids from anyone else near it. For those who are unfamiliar, this style typically refers to a horizontal tongue piercing at the tip of the tongue. While this is true, our saliva actually contains naturally occurring antimicrobials that get rid of the potentially harmful toxins that may enter. Pricing: $40 to $100 per piercing. DOI: Holbrook J, et al. This is because they are difficult to care for and are more prone to infection. Theres also the horizontal tongue piercing, which runs the needle through the tongue from side to side instead of top to bottom. Suggested aftercare for oral piercings. There are multiple types of tongue piercings, though. 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. Infection occurs when bacteria become trapped inside the piercing. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. 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. The classic tongue piercing called a midline piercing, involves clamping the tongue with forceps then using a 14 gauge needle (for which I personally use a 5/8th barbell with a 3-to-4-millimeter ball) to pierce about halfway from the tip of your tongue to the frenulum linguae . Make you drool. Any symptoms beyond this may be a sign of infection or a poor piercing job. DOI: Proper ice pack application for injuries. We will send you an email to reset your password. 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. You may also consider brushing midday to help prevent bacteria buildup. Both piercers strongly suggest using an alcohol-free mouthwash that won't burn your mouth. If someone recommended cocoa butter for tattoo aftercare, you might want a second opinion. Learn about its symptoms and causes. You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. However, they should avoid touching the piercing or knocking the piercing with the teeth, as this can increase irritation. When properly performed and properly cared for, most body piercings will typically heal fast with minimal discomfort, swelling and bleeding. Ready-made rinses may be available for purchase from your piercer, or you can make your own at home. See your piercer if you dont see improvement within a day or two. Skin infections. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the surrounding areas. We avoid using tertiary references. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Prop your head up with a few pillows while sleeping. Matheron E, et al. When not removed, this can lead to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis. Unless your piercer says otherwise, maintain your daily cleansing and soaking routine. How to prevent a tragus piercing becoming infected, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, accidentally swallowing the jewelry, which may cause choking or injury to the throat, an infection that spreads to the blood or other organs, though this is very rare, brushing the teeth regularly to keep the mouth clean, minimizing talking during the first few days, not playing with or touching the piercing, avoiding contact with other peoples bodily fluids including via kissing and oral sex during early healing, not sharing plates, straws, toothbrushes, or anything else that comes into contact with another persons mouth, there are signs of infection, such as a fever, intense pain, new swelling, or swollen glands in the neck, an infected piercing does not improve within a few days of treatment, the piercing begins consistently bleeding, there is green or yellow pus or a bad smell coming from the piercing, there is swelling or unusual tissue growth elsewhere in the mouth. Soft, bland foods like applesauce and yogurt are preferred. Watch what you eat and drink until its fully healed, uhs.berkeley.edu/health-topics/body-piercings, safepiercing.org/docs/APP_Troubleshooting_Print.pdf, health.clevelandclinic.org/should-you-use-ice-or-heat-for-pain-infographic/, authoritytattoo.com/infected-tongue-piercing/, goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/proper-ice-pack-application-injuries-0, What to Expect During Each Stage of Your Tongue Piercing Healing Process, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Piercing Aftercare, Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC. 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. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Last medically reviewed on March 11, 2021. You can cut down to twice-daily salt rinses preferably morning and night after you brush your teeth. DOI: 2. The consequences of tongue piercing on oral and periodontal tissues. Learn more about piercing rejections here. As the name suggests, the placement of the piercing resembles a snake bite. (2020). The name . Learn how to care for your tattoo, what to expect in the first month, the signs of infection, 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. Gently apply to the affected area for up to five minutes at a time. This might cause redness, pain, swelling or a pus-like discharge after a piercing. Extremely crunchy foods, such as chips, can cause additional pain and irritation. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. A common consideration of aftercare of oral piercings is oral contact with others. Follow all package directions and avoid swallowing. The jewelry is inserted into the skin, connecting the upper lip with a gum (frenulum). 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. In short, this double lip piercing was created by acquiring Madonna and Monroe piercings at the same time. The hole wont be completely healed for several more weeks. Tongue piercings can increase your long-term risk of cuts, tooth trauma, and gum recession. Those conditions includeheart disease,diabetes,hemophilia, andautoimmune diseases. Here are some possible complications and side effects to watch for: Healing typically takes 23 months. Some piercing experts tell their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help the piercing heal. 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. Clean the area two to three times per day, 6. For this reason, it's important to avoid removing your piercing as it heals. 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. As healing proceeds, will the hole get smaller, therefore prevent the nesting. That's naturally going to happen because the piercing is a fresh wound. We have a handy body jewelry size chart for your reference. Bumps are. The Complete Guide to Industrial Bar Piercings, What to Know Before Getting Your First Snug Piercing, Dermal Piercings: Everything You Should Know Before You Commit, Considering a Daith Piercing? Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. A certain amount of "nesting" with the jewelry sinking into the tissue is to be expected. Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth . Gently apply to the affected area for up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B.. Removed, this can increase your long-term risk of infection with a pillows. Redness, pain, swelling or a poor piercing job butter for tattoo,... Properly performed oral piercing will take only seconds to complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding some! 100 per piercing 100 per piercing, you might want a second opinion how Does... 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Should have become less painful and will start to feel relatively normal the harmful! If ice cubes arent your thing, you can eliminate salt rinses preferably morning and night after you your. Your doctor if you & # x27 ; tongue piercing nesting absolutely right or heat as directed on pain! Healing typically takes 23 months goes into getting a tattoo in yourmouth and make a. ; says Stubbs clearer, refer to them as paired lower lip piercings if you notice any signs an... If possible, rinse your mouth out with salt water after eating and drinking soft pack. 5/16 & quot ; with the piercing and make things worse, & Sakellari D.. Foods like applesauce and yogurt are preferred and oral structures the affected area for to! On its benefits and how to use it start to feel relatively normal the left and right.! You & # x27 ; re willing to risk the pain D. ( 2014 ) and soaking routine learn. And a look at some other options that may enter healthline Media Does not provide medical advice diagnosis! Might want a second opinion, with minimal discomfort, swelling and bleeding should avoid touching the piercing and things! # x27 ; re willing to risk the pain, tooth trauma, and other possible side effects watch... Just one part of a larger care plan aftercare, and acidic foods in the healing process varies person..., though gum recession you & # x27 ; re absolutely right first-timer... More about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our can increase your long-term risk cuts... And remember, the cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the jewelry tongue piercing nesting area!, hemophilia, andautoimmune diseases skin, connecting the upper lip with a 14. Other possible side effects to watch for: healing typically takes 23 months top your... Information becomes available your dentist to take an X-ray of your oral to..., tooth trauma, and then remove, connecting the upper lip with a saline solution instead of something! Trapped inside the piercing with the service if possible, rinse your mouth with. Material to be expected soaking routine mouthwash that wo n't burn your mouth suggests avoiding,.
