If it stays swollen, it may be the sign of something worse, like an infection. The initial piercing can lead to scarring, bruising, and, Initially, piercings are healing wounds, and they can be prone to infection. ), submerge your piercing in pools, hot tubs, or open water, take your piercing out before its fully healed, a large amount of smelly discharge thats thick, green, yellow, or gray, gum or tooth issues, like bleeding or erosion, confirm they have a permit and license to operate, see credentials and a portfolio of clients healed piercings, check the quality of the jewelry they stock. The piercer is happy to answer your questions. You may feel some soreness in the days after your piercing, especially considering the placement. Definitely- go see your piercer! It's the second most popular lip piercing. The good news: Nipple piercings don't necessarily hurt much more than other piercings. What you eat matters, especially when you have a wound in this case, an infected piercing in your mouth. People with certain conditions that might make it hard for the piercing to heal are particularly at risk for health problems. Brushing twice a day is just as important as flossing. A tongue piercing creates a wound in one of the most bacteria-filled parts of the body: the mouth. Heres what to do if your body rejects the piercing. Keeping your head elevated at night can reduce swelling of your body piercing. Aswollen tongue can make it hard for you tobreathe. Tongue piercings can also increase the risk of oral health problems, including infected gums and teeth. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3177080/, safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/, safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/, Planning to Get Pierced? As healing proceeds, will the hole get smaller, therefore prevent the nesting. It may hurt for a few days and swell for a few more, but these symptoms are normal parts of the healing process. The name snake bites can be a bit confusing, as there are several other bite piercings to choose from, like spider bites and angel bites. For initial oral piercings, the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends jewelry made from implant-grade metals or 14-karat or higher gold. Tongue swelling after a new piercing can interfere with chewing and swallowing and sometimes breathing. Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, and other lip products. You shouldnt remove the jewelry during this time. Make it hard for your dentist to take an X-ray of your teeth . Myers also recommends a sterile saline solution, which tends to be recommended for most piercings. However, people with poor oral hygiene, weak immune systems, and mouth injuries may still be vulnerable to infection. If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you usually would. In fact, they say that the most uncomfortable part is having the piercer's hands in your mouth for an extended amount of time. Place a damp cloth, sock, or other homemade compress in the microwave for 30 seconds. Steep a chamomile tea bag in warm water for two to three minutes. Feel free to reach out to your piercer if you have any questions concerning the results, aftercare, and healing time. Loheide likes Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse because it doesn't taste as bad as some alcohol-free mouthwashes do, it's affordable, and can be found in most drug stores. Much of the bacteria is introduced by eating and. 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. Body piercings: Cleaning and healing. [12] 3. Use warm salt, Not kiss anyone while you heal (avoid contact with someone else's. Furthermore, Mel Magazine added that your tongue piercing may represent your sexual adventurous side. A tongue piercing is any body modification that involves piercing a piece of jewelry through the tongue. How Long Does It Take a Tattoo to Fully Heal? Fortunately, tongue piercings tend to heal quickly, taking anywhere from four to eight weeks, according to Ilyas. 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. When the swelling decreases, replace the jewelry with a shorter piece of jewelry. Some other risks of a tongue piercing include: In some cases, the body can reject a piercing, which can lead to further complications. Get the details on how you can lower your chances of developing blisters and other possible side effects. Typically, infected piercings are usually treated with antibiotics and the removal of jewellery, he explains. You can suck on ice cubes for a few minutes at a time to help alleviate symptoms. Youll also want to ensure that any jewelry you select for your tongue piercing is of good quality. 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. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? For the frenulum linguae (aka, the little web that connects the underside of your tongue to your mouth), the piercer will pierce one barbell into the web, according to Spencer's. A pre-made saline solution is the easiest and most effective way to clean any piercing. It may also be tempting to take the jewelry out, but this can actually do more harm than good. It probably needs a longer bar or different kind of top. While the tongue may seem like a sensitive spot to pierce, thanks to its responsiveness to tastes and touch, its actually a relatively low-pain placement choice. You have a lot ofblood vessels in the area. Every piercing appointment begins with a consultation to discuss the piercing and the jewelry you want. Your piercing professional will clean the area again. This may lead to broken teeth, infections in the gums or teeth, and similar oral health problems. Tongue piercing healing process and care guide [Blog]. , lip, cheek, or uvula (the tiny tissue at the back of your throat) so you can wear jewelry. After your tongue has healed, take the jewelry out every night and brush it the way you brush your teeth. But you still have to be mindful of how your mouth and tongue feel when you do eat or drink certain things. See your piercer if your symptoms dont improve within two to three days, or if they worsen. Because tongue piercings have an "automatic healing" function, they are prone to closing quickly. Mouth and tongue piercings also may: Make it hard to speak, chew, or swallow. Oral piercings risks & safety measures. Flossing helps remove food and plaque stuck in between your teeth. Redness or swelling that extends beyond the piercing site may be a sign of infection. If you've decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you're up to date onvaccines for hepatitis B andtetanus. 11. Myers notes that on a scale of one to 10, most of her client's rate standard tongue piercings between a one to three, and paired tongue piercings a three to five. And in some people withheart disease, bacteria can lead to a condition that can damage yourheart valves. 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? Whether you're drinking liquor like its water or jumping from an airplane (or a cliff), no matter what you're doing, you're having fun! A 20 percent tip is customary if youre happy with the service. Water should be your drink of choice at this time. You can eliminate salt rinses, but be sure to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any problems. You may also consider rinsing with a saline solution after every meal. 7 days ago. Morning and night cleanings are ideal. People with weak immune systems due to diabetes, cancer, HIV, and some medications may need longer to heal and can also be more vulnerable to infection. This includes the tongue, lips, and cheeks. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Twist the new jewelrys beads until tight, and youre all set. The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. Material is key when it comes to piercings. with germ-killing soap, wear fresh disposable gloves, and use sterilized tools or ones that are thrown away after one use. So please take the time to create a new account for our sleek new site. Not share cups, plates, forks, knives, or spoons. Youll need to call your doctor if you see signs of an infection or youre experiencing severe discomfort. What is the risk of infection with a nipple piercing? In terms of complications, there are both short and long-term consequences., Changing tongue piercings to a shorter barbell is highly recommended once it heals, says Dohoney. Aftercare: Clean the outside piercing site with a sterile salt solution; avoid harsh toothpaste or mouthwash on the . You might want to take it out before you go tosleep or do anything active. Basically, any possible arrangement of a vertical or horizontal piercing is possible on the tongue. Face piercing (body art): Choosing pleasure vs. possible pain and posture instability. ), be careful when you eat (Avoid hard, crunchy, or spicy foods, as well as hot foods and drinks. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. 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Still, the amount of swelling shouldnt keep you from drinking water or talking. Most of the time, your bump will, 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. Crucial to health, safety and comfort is proper placement of your body piercing. Jewelry worn in tongue piercings can chip and crack your teeth and damage your gums. To do so, stick out your tongue, grab the two beads on either side of the barbell, and twist until one comes off. Contrary to popular opinion, there are actuallyseveral different types of tongue piercings. If you arent already using a mouthwash, theres no need to start now. 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. Not all piercings are created equal. With vertical piercings, you'll have a straight barbell in the middle of your tongue. Avoid hot beverages, as these can encourage further swelling. 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. How does a tragus piercing stack up against other piercings when it comes to pain? Its also common to see slight swelling about two days into the healing process. What material options are available for the jewelry? Use it several times per day at first to encourage the healing process. You can expect short-term symptoms likepain, swelling, and extrasaliva. (2014). Tongue piercings can add a little edge to your look, if you're willing to risk the pain. (2020). The risk of infection also greatly decreases. Once your piercer give you the OK, you can resume your normal habits. Belly button piercings have a higher risk because they are difficult to, A look at infected tragus piercings, a condition where a small part of the ear develops an infection. In fact, that's a good sign because your unique anatomy will dictate where you can and can't get pierced, and any reputable piercer will ensure to take that into account, Loheide shares. 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. 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. 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). For one, dont smoke or use a straw during the healing process, because the motion will drastically increase swellingas will the irritation from salty, spicy, hot, or sour foods. Your dentist can monitor for changes and help ensure that your piercing doesnt cause such damages. However, theres a long list of dos and don'ts with tongue piercing aftercare. Always opt for a nickel-free metal that will keep it happy and healthy. Piercing rejection happens when the immune system sees the jewelry as a foreign object and tries to push, Salt water gargles are a cheap, easy, and natural alternative to medicated mouthwashes. You can do a salt rinse to help minimize any pain and swelling. 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