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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. But if your symptoms are severe or if this is your first time dealing with an infection you should see your piercer right away. Possible damage to teeth, dental work and oral structures. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the surrounding areas. "When we're piercing vertically, especially in the centre, we're piercing through a connective tissue between those muscles," Loheide explains. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. You shouldnt have any pain or swelling at this stage, but you might find that certain foods irritate your tongue. It's best to avoid hard, crunchy foods and stick with liquids such as smoothies, yogurt, broths, and applesauce. Remember that piercings heal from the outside in, so it might look healed even though its not. Some risk is par for the course any time you puncture tissue. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Your piercer can help you make the right choice, but its important that you be informed as well. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When it comes to tongue piercings, you have to do more than just clean the piercing site. This may last until the tenth day or so, but it will eventually go down. Laser Tattoo Removal Can Cause Blisters Here's Why and How to Treat Them. Oral Contact. Follow all instructions the piercer gives. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. You can expect a tiny scar over each piercing site once the tissue grows in. However, as with all piercings, theyre not totally without risk. Consult with your piercer to choose body jewelry that is appropriately sized, is of the right material, and is well made. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. Theyre generally safe as long as you follow aftercare instructions. 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. The most common piercing is the midline, which is also commonly called a vertical piercing. This can trap bacteria and allow the infection to spread beyond the piercing site. mild heat or warmth. If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would. Youll also want to ensure that any jewelry you select for your tongue piercing is of good quality. 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. 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. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. But New York City-based piercer Jenna Myers says that there tends to be a pretty big distinction between the two. Avoid oral sexual activity during healing. It doesn't suddenly transform you into a fierce person who others won't mess with just because you have a tongue piercing. Considering laser tattoo removal? Apart from switching up your oral products, you may have to change what you eat, but only for a short while. Swelling associated with tongue piercings can get pretty wild. (2011). Floss your teeth once a day. 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. This means that while the piercing may look less irritated, it is actually still healing for a month or longer. After getting your tongue pierced, you'll likely feel soreness. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Taking care of your new oral piercing. One small survey revealed that 3 in 51 people with tongue piercings developed infections. Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Using a warm chamomile compress may help speed up the healing process. Along with the obvious risk of infection (including tetanus), tongue piercings can also lead to gum recession and chipped teeth, as well as cause choking hazards, the American Dental Association warns. A small amount of bleeding is normal, but consistent bleeding may signal a problem. Combine 1 teaspoon of sea salt with 8 ounces of warm water. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Proper aftercare plays a crucial role in your healing process. (2010). A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lips edge. Toothpaste is unlikely to harm your tongue piercing, but make sure you rinse thoroughly. (2014). Elegant Roses. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. Repeat this process as many times as needed. The numbing effects may be preferable to warm compresses, especially if youre in a lot of pain. This is considered the final stretch in your tongue piercing healing process. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? "If you go to eat something and you're like, 'Wow, this feels terrible to eat,' don't keep eating it," they share. A warm compress can also minimize overall swelling and irritation. 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 . When its ready, follow the same steps for cleansing with premade saline. Rinsing with a saline solution a few times per day is usually enough to keep the piercing clean. tongue piercing nesting. A certain amount of "nesting" with the jewelry sinking into the tissue is to be expected. You can use mouthwash to rinse after a meal and as part of your normal oral care routine. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. Some piercing experts tell their customers to consider a sea salt soak to help the piercing heal. 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. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. 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. Get a new tooth brush and be diligent about keeping it clean while healing. Super hot foods should be left alone as well. A properly performed oral piercing will take only seconds to complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding. Luckily, not every tongue piercing will become infected. Some hurt much more than others, and some may have longer healing times that can be uncomfortable for months. Sometimes we will use a larger needle if the client requests a larger gauge piece of jewelry, but 14g is standard, says Dohoney. We avoid using tertiary references. It's a way to express your style, but it can be dangerous. That's naturally going to happen because the piercing is a fresh wound. 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 . "Paired tongue piercings, aka venoms, are a lot more anatomy-dependent because those are placed closer to the major veins in your tongue," they explain. Right after your appointment, expect your tongue to be a bit swollen and painful for about one to two weeks, according to Loheide. Learn more about piercing rejections here. The type of piercing you choose represents a part of you. We've sent you an email with a link to update your password. Less desirable metals are more likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to infection. All rights reserved. Some people prefer to make their own saline solution instead of purchasing something OTC. DOI: Proper ice pack application for injuries. We've got the details on its benefits and how to use it. And in some people withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage yourheart valves. (2020). "[With an] infection, your tongue is going to look absolutely wild," Myers shares. There are a few other things you should take into consideration for healing lip piercings as well. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Considering laser tattoo removal? In general, maintaining good oral hygiene brushing your teeth regularly and flossing is important. You might want to take it out before you go to, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, [ss_icon]15 Tooth Problems: Cavities, Stained Teeth, Hyperdontia and More. Pain, tenderness, and drainage can be seen when the area is not properly cared for, says Ilyas. If any discomfort develops, stick with soft foods for a bit longer. As long as the jewelry can move freely after it's nested, there's no need to worry. There are multiple types of tongue piercings, though. Avoid sharing food and drinks to minimize the spread of infectious bacteria. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. You may not want to use a warm compress if youre already experiencing uncomfortable warmth at the piercing site. By day 10, your piercing may look like its good to go but appearances arent everything. You can expect short-term symptoms likepain, swelling, and extrasaliva. clear or white discharge. However, a person may still need time to adapt to the piercing. You should also avoid peppers, chili powder, and other spices. Plus, they arent intended to be used inside your mouth. Dont scrub or prod, as this will cause irritation. Rings and labret studs are your jewelry options for snake bites. "Because the tongue is so vascular, it has a lot of blood flow to it, so it heals really quickly," she says. A snake bites piercing is a double lip piercing that sits near the outer corners of the lower lip's edge. And remember, the cause of such damage is often the result of constant playing with the piercing, so use caution. When not removed, this can lead to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis. Dont put things in your mouth like pens and other things that carry bacteria. Youll rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to get rid of any bacteria. Once the time comes to remove the jewelry used for the piercing, its best to see your piercer. (2013). Snake Bite Piercings. The piercer should. To make things a little clearer, refer to them as paired lower lip piercings if you decide to go for it. 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. Join. However, they shouldnt replace your saline cleansing routine. Topical creams and ointments can trap bacteria inside the piercing and make things worse. See your piercer if you dont see improvement within a day or two. If you dont, you will have issues with chipping your teeth, biting the jewelry, gum recession behind the teeth, and even swallowing the jewelry.. Being as simple as possible with your aftercare is really best. Every piercing appointment begins with a consultation to discuss the piercing and the jewelry you want. This type of tongue piercing typically takes around four to six weeks to heal, though it will depend on your anatomy and body health. Some people also choose to consume smoothies or other liquid foods for the first few days, until they adjust to eating with the jewelry in place. We've got answers to all your piercing pain-related Qs. Considering laser tattoo removal? Erich P. Voigt, MD, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat doctor and director of General Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at NYU Langone Health, notes that pus, severe tongue swelling, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and difficult breathing indicate that it's time to seek out a medical professional. Take only seconds to complete, with minimal discomfort and bleeding part of.. The tenth day or so, but its important that you be informed as.... Outer corners of the right material, and extrasaliva it comes to tongue can. New site every piercing tongue piercing nesting begins with a link to update your password with an antibacterial mouthwash to after! More likely to cause an allergic reaction or lead to bacteria overgrowth and gingivitis an email with a solution. Totally without risk compress if youre already experiencing uncomfortable warmth at the piercing is a double piercing. After a meal and as part of you and stick with soft for... 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