Tongue piercing: pros and cons, consequences, care

If you really want to change something in your life and appearance - you can go to the barber and change your hair. And you can do tongue piercing - this procedure is becoming increasingly popular due to the speed of implementation and impressive external effect.

Piercing belongs to the category of modeling different parts of the body and face. Someone makes it out of interest and desire to stand out, others - to increase self-esteem and new sensations during sexual caresses.

Piercing procedure

Tongue piercing is an operation. To avoid complications, it is recommended to perform it in a specialized salon. Qualitatively, the procedure can be performed only by a qualified doctor. Only the surgeon is able to determine the optimal place for the puncture, where the risk of injury to nerves and blood vessels will be minimal.
During the operation, sterile instruments and disposable rubber gloves are always used.

The sequence of operations:

The oral cavity is treated with antiseptic. In most cases, patients ask for additional anesthesia of the oral cavity. Lidocaine solution is used as an anesthetic.
A special clamp is used to hold the tongue in place.
A puncture is made on the tongue that is secured with the clamp. The direction of the needle is from bottom to top.
A metal rod or a "decoration" chosen by the patient is inserted into the hole that is formed.

Tongue piercing at home

It is undesirable to do the piercing yourself.

To minimize the risk of complications, the following requirements must be met:

Choose a well-lit place for the operation. There must be a table in the room on which the necessary instruments are placed.
Only sterile instruments (clamp, needle, earring) are used for the operation.
The oral cavity must be treated with a disinfectant solution, and if necessary, irrigated with an anesthetic.
For the puncture point, the part of the tongue closer to the tip is chosen. In this area of the organ there are no large blood vessels.
The tongue is clamped with forceps.
A special needle punctures the soft tissue of the organ strictly perpendicular to the surface.
A barbell is inserted. It is recommended to use a catheter to insert the "decoration".

A catheter is a special device that helps to make piercings at home. Thanks to the catheter, the sensation of piercing the soft tissue of the tongue is less painful.

The catheter is a small needle fitted with a plastic tube. An earring or other "decoration" is inserted into the cavity of the tube. After the puncture, the earring enters the hole together with the needle. The needle and catheter are then removed, and the "decoration" remains in the inside of the tongue.

Piercing as a source of pain

If we talk about the degree of painfulness of the procedure itself, the performance of tongue piercing is not a pleasant event

If a person will be very nervous and twitchy, due to which the specialist will not be able to make an accurate piercing, everything will end up with serious damage to an important organ. Therefore, in many salons and medical institutions offering this service, it is recommended to use local anesthesia

Today, both injected and superficial techniques of anesthetic injection are widely used.

Will my tongue hurt after my tongue piercing?

On a side note! When choosing a piercing under anesthesia, prepare for the fact that in the first couple of hours you will not be able to communicate properly, as the language is unlikely to obey you. It is better to make sure you have someone you know by your side. The effect of "freezing" will fully pass only after 1-1.5 hours.

After the puncture, the tongue will still be painful and uncomfortable for some time. To relieve pain, you can take a tablet of painkillers. There are a huge number of vessels and nerve endings in this organ, so even for 2-3 weeks you will feel some pain and swelling of the soft tissues. Be careful: if it does not get better, the pain increases, becomes throbbing, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Possible complications in this case include an allergic reaction to the metal and wound infection.

Material from

Metal is in constant contact with the mucosa, so attention should be paid to the material to avoid irritation or festering of the puncture. It is recommended that only silver or gold tongue bars be used for permanent wear. Cheap metal, especially covered with paint or varnish on top, will begin to oxidize, and the coating may crack and remain inside the puncture.

Titanium, which is widely used in medicine, is considered the ideal material. It is proved that this metal is the best compatibility with the human body. It is absolutely harmless, non-toxic, does not cause rejection. Acrylic jewelry is used as a cheaper and readily available analogue. They have the advantage that they do not spoil enamel, also do not cause an allergic reaction.

Tongue piercing at home

If you decide to do tongue piercing yourself at home, which is extremely undesirable, it is done as follows.

Buy a disposable catheter and antiseptic at the drugstore. Rinse your mouth with a disinfectant solution. Also treat the earring with alcohol. Lift your tongue with your fingers and mark between the two arteries

The mark should be exactly in the middle, this is very important! It is quite difficult to hurt yourself, but then you will need to hold your tongue firmly and pierce it from bottom to top with a needle. While the needle is in your tongue, insert the jewel without taking it out

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with disinfectant.

Those people who have already tried such a procedure on their own, will tell you that it is better to go to the specialists. Despite the fact that the procedure looks extremely simple, you should not do it at home. Even an experienced doctor can sometimes damage a nerve or hit vital arteries, and it's scary to think what you can do to yourself. That is why surgeons' opinion about the manipulation themselves is strongly negative.

Concerning this topic, it is worth talking about the possible consequences of tongue piercings.

The appropriate size

The length and thickness of the decoration is chosen independently, depending on the desired result. The standard size of the tongue piercing rod is considered to be 16 mm in length and 8 mm in diameter. In this case, the rod slightly protrudes over the tongue and the jewelry does not get in the way, while looking quite free and beautiful. However, the size grid is almost unlimited, the length can count from 4.5 mm to 38 mm. Smaller bars fit snugly, tightening the tongue a bit, creating a nice dimple on its surface. Some, on the contrary, prefer long rods, allowing you to create a very unusual image.

The piercing can be stretched by gradually picking up the larger and larger diameter of the decoration. Wide tongue bars look rather rude. Too bulky jewelry may be uncomfortable, and at first it will be difficult to get used to them. Because of them you may change your diction. In addition, bars or rings, constantly touching the teeth, can severely damage the enamel.

Pay attention to the fact that immediately after the piercing you should insert an earring longer than necessary. The rod should move freely, so that the metal cannot adhere to the fresh wound. This way the healing process will be much faster and painless.

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Tongue piercing care:

After a tongue piercing, finish any meal by rinsing your mouth with salted water;
Mouthwash solution: ¼ teaspoon of sea salt per mug of water (250ml) or 1 teaspoon of salt per liter of water;
If you do not have sea salt, regular kitchen salt can be used;
Holding cold water (with ice) in your mouth several times a day may help reduce tongue swelling;
Use a new toothbrush to brush your teeth;
If you are used to brushing your tongue with a toothbrush, do not do so immediately after the puncture. Doing it vigorously may cause additional damage and lead to prolonged healing or infection;
Use mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol to rinse your mouth. Rinses should not be used more than 2-3 times a day;
Before going to bed, you can rinse your mouth with chlorhexedine bigluconate solution;
Any problems, questions, comments about the piercing should be addressed with the master who did it;
Do not touch the piercing;
You should avoid kissing and unprotected oral sex until the tongue and piercing canal are fully healed;
Avoid eating spicy and hot foods until the piercing canal is fully healed and formed;

Types of rods

Piercing jewelry is chosen to closely match the part of the body where the piercing is made.

Variants of products:

The rods to be installed in the tongue. This organ is composed of muscles and when it is damaged, swelling begins immediately, following the needle is inserted a long rod measuring 18-16 mm. After 2-3 weeks it is changed to a smaller one. This promotes healing and protects the tooth enamel from damage and chipping.
Rod for the belly button puncture. The canal is formed in the fold above the navel. The flat form, in which a banana with a curved rod is installed. If pregnancy occurs, it is recommended that the girl replace the steel or other metal with a flexible silicone version.
Earring in the nose. In this case, barbells are used for types of Nassalang, Septril, Austin Bar, Bridge, rarely for septum micro bananas are used.
Barbell for nipple piercings. In this case, the hole can be positioned vertically and horizontally. Micro ornaments with balls on the edges are inserted into it, so that the smooth surface does not cling to clothing and do not traumatize.

The industrial piercing is ideal for placement in the eyebrow and ear (at the level of the lobe). The lip is also decorated with micro bars - Monroe, Madonna, Estrum, Ashley, upper or lower frenulum piercings.

Recommended reading:
Dahlia Bite Piercing.
How eye piercing is done and is it safe
How are cheek piercings done?

To purchase, you can go to a store or order from a photo online.

The main dangers of piercings

If you have a desire to decorate your tongue with an earring, to begin with it is not superfluous to know more about the possible negative consequences of piercing this part of the body. So, all the potential dangers can be divided into three large categories.

Allergic reaction

After tongue piercing, some people develop an allergy to the metal from which the jewelry is made. It is almost impossible to know if you have an intolerance to certain allergens without a preliminary examination. If the problem is an allergy, in addition to soreness, you may experience skin itching, inflammation and even festering of the wound.

Bleeding

If the procedure was not performed too skillfully and accurately, serious bleeding can open up. As mentioned above, there are many blood vessels concentrated in this organ, which can easily be caught during the puncture. This will result in severe swelling, eventually leading to breathing problems. The subsequent recovery will take a long time.

Swelling and bleeding can occur after the procedure

Other consequences - infection

The main danger in piercings is the risk of infection. Infection can easily enter the body through the tools and open wounds, so today the inspection authorities are very strict about monitoring compliance with sanitary norms and rules by employees of salons offering this kind of services. Only disposable needles may be used and they must be unpacked in front of the client. Strict measures have been introduced because some time ago, the mass enthusiasm for piercing led to a rapid spread of serious diseases such as HIV infection and hepatitis.

The photo shows a neoplasm that appeared after the piercing

Everyone who wants to make a piercing in the tongue should be aware that quite a massive piece of jewelry can cause irritation to the gum, traumatize it. Also, the presence of a foreign metal object in the mouth will have a negative impact on the state of dental enamel and may result in a change in taste sensations. If suddenly after the procedure the tongue is swollen and numb, or there is a sharp piercing pain, which is only getting worse, and in the organ began to throb, you need to urgently seek medical attention.

Pros and cons of tongue and frenulum piercings

For many people in general the term "pros of piercing" is incomprehensible, but they really

there are. Carrying out a piercing and placing an adornment on the tongue or its frenulum:

Is virtually painless procedure, does not require the use of anesthesia or anesthesia;
Rarely involves complications such as infection of the wound;
Makes sexual relations more spicy.

The procedure under consideration also has its disadvantages:

the process of healing of the piercing site for tongue or frenulum piercing long enough to heal, strongly swollen and gives a person discomfort;
If the wound is infected, the consequences can be very serious, up to and including necrosis (death) of tissue;
diction is impaired in 97% of cases;
taste sensations and preferences may change;
Damage to enamel and dental tissues (jewelry is the culprit).

What to avoid while your tongue is healing

What to avoid:

Hard, sour, sticky, spicy foods.
Talking too much.
Kissing and any other use of the mouth with girlfriends/friends
Putting foreign objects in the mouth.
Smoking (better to abstain at first, and once the piercing has healed, stop smoking altogether)
Experimenting with jewelry in the tongue (you'll have plenty of time for this after it heals)

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The swelling should go down in a couple of weeks, but the healing time may take longer.

After a piercing, the tongue usually takes three to four weeks to heal completely. This is one of the fastest-healing piercings, as the enzymes in saliva help fight infection and kill bacteria.

You will need to use a good non-alcoholic mouthwash to help clean your mouth, but be careful not to overdo the cleanliness, which can cause your tongue to turn green or brown. If this happens, simply reduce the amount of mouthwash you use and how often you use it.

Day 1-5: After the first day, you will experience bloating. It will be worse for the first five days, when your speech will get in the way, and you may have to change your diet of mashed potatoes, noodles, and other soft foods. Drinking cold drinks helps. For faster healing, you should avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks, smoking, kissing, fiddling with or even not touching a barbell, and both ibuprofen and aspirin (which can increase swelling-use instead of Tylenol).

Day 5-7: The swelling will begin to go down. Some people heal faster than others.

Day 7-10: The swelling should go down now. When this happens, you need to have the barbell replaced with a shorter one. The day you can replace the longer barbell with a shorter one will depend on the amount of swelling you are experiencing.
Day 10-28: it may take 3 to 4 weeks to heal completely.

When can I take the jewel out of my tongue and for how long?

The answer to this question varies from person to person. Tongues heal quickly, and even if the piercing is technically healed, it will also heal and close if you leave the jewelry out for an extended period. Some piercings can heal closed almost immediately, in a day or two, while others with established piercings say they can do without jewelry for up to three weeks, don't worry.

What will you feel in the first few days after a tongue piercing?

Swelling. Your tongue will swell for about 8-10 days after the initial piercing; the amount of swelling will depend on how far away the piercing is (the farther the piercing, the more swelling).
Eating and talking. For the first few days, you will not be able to eat solid food or speak properly.
Jewelry. The main requirement for the jewelry you will wear immediately after the piercing is hypoallergenic. The best option is titanium or medical steel. The most common for the piercing of this part of the body are rods. This jewelry consists of a metal rod, on the ends of which are twisted balls or flat round elements. During the period of healing, it is recommended to wear a long enough earring, as in the first days there may be swelling. It is important that the edges of the barbell do not come into contact with the teeth all the time.

Probable problems.

Tongue piercing inevitably leads to a deterioration of diction, the appearance of lisping. Sometimes these complications are observed only during the period of healing of the piercing and getting used to the decoration, but sometimes they remain for life. For this reason, this body modification is strictly not recommended for people whose profession is directly connected with the art of public speaking.

As with any other type of piercing, there is a risk of infection during the piercing. If the tools or the jewelry have not been sterilized, it is even possible to infect the virus of serious chronic diseases transmitted through blood, such as AIDS, hepatitis, etc.

Incorrect choice of earrings for constant wear is fraught with damage to the gums and tooth enamel. If the piercing is done poorly, it can damage large blood vessels or a nerve. Probable consequences: severe bleeding, disruption of the taste buds and motor activity of the organ. Try to rationally assess all the risks before making a piercing of the tongue. The pros and cons in this case are quite serious. If you decide to undergo the procedure, go to a certified salon or clinic with a good reputation.

Decorations for tongue and frenulum piercings

The most popular jewelry for piercing is the barbell, and in the case of tongue piercing, it is successfully inserted into the frenulum, and on the tip of the organ. But if desired, the specialist can put:

horseshoe;
banana;
spiral;
ring with a clasp in the form of a balloon;
segmental rings.

A competent specialist will tell you about the peculiarities of each piece of jewelry and what kind of trouble you can expect in the near future when you first talk to the client. For example, various rings and spirals on the tongue are often rejected or displaced.

Care Recommendations

Immediately after the procedure, at least for one day, it is worth refraining from solid food and spicy foods, as well as from spices with strong specific tastes. Special care during this period involves regular rinses with the use of pharmacy antiseptics and herbs - before this it is better to consult with your doctor. It is also worth changing your toothbrush and then rinsing it well after each brushing. During the daily hygiene procedures, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly, including under the tongue, but you should do it carefully, trying not to strain the organ too much.

It is important to adhere to all recommendations after the procedure, so as not to encounter complications

If you have recently had your tongue pierced, take your care seriously while it heals. There is nothing complicated about it, but there are a number of restrictions that should be adhered to. Eat warm foods, avoid hot or cold ones, and minimize the risk of accidental injury to the oral cavity. Careful and attentive attitude to your health will help to prevent a lot of serious problems.

According to Russian law.

The recovery period

The most painful and unpleasant feelings occur during the recovery period. Until the wound surface has healed, the person must observe strict restrictions.

In the first 24 hours after surgery, the surface of the tongue is very sore and swollen. These changes are normal, the pain is the result of soft tissue trauma, and the swelling is the cause of lymphatic and vascular damage. The swelling can last for several days.

The wound heals within 2-3 weeks. Complete healing of the wound surface occurs 3-4 months after surgery.

In the first weeks after surgery you should be anxious about your diet

From the menu it is important to exclude all spicy, smoked and salty foods. Meals should not be hot.

It is optimal to use liquid, fresh, warm food.

Care of a pierced tongue

The basis of care for a pierced tongue is the treatment of the soft tissues. Daily, twice a day, the wound should be treated with antiseptic solutions (chlorhexidine, baking soda or manganese solution).

For the first 2 weeks after surgery you need to rinse your mouth after eating. The first few days you rinse with antiseptic solutions (Chlorhexidine). Later you can rinse your mouth with decoctions of herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula).

Care of the rod

Within 2 weeks after the piercing of the tongue, it is required to brush the rod daily with a toothbrush. After this time, it is necessary to regularly remove the "decoration" to thoroughly clean it from surface contamination and disinfect it in a solution of Chlorhexidine.

How long does it take to heal a pierced tongue and frenulum

It depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Someone already on the 3rd - 4th day after the procedure can normally talk and eat, someone even after a month has difficulties with this. On average, swelling of the tongue and/or frenulum persists for 10 days, and complete healing is completed only after a month and a half.

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