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The Ultimate Guide to Tongue Piercings

With so many different parts of the body being able to be pierced, finding out which spots may suit you and your style best is always a good idea! A popular kind of piercing that has grown over the last few years is tongue piercings, and they offer a unique way to add that extra bit of style and edge to any look! Tongue piercings can be done in a variety of different ways, with different styles of jewelry being commonly associated with this type of piercing. If you have recently been considering getting a new piercing on your tongue, there are a few things that you may want to consider! This blog post will outline and highlight all that you may need to know when it comes to getting a new tongue piercing!

What is a Tongue Piercing?

A tongue piercing is a form of piercing that is inserted through the tongue in your mouth, where the piercing artist will create a hole that jewelry can then be placed through. There are a number of different types of tongue piercings with tons of different styles of jewelry that can be worn, offering you the chance to add a unique flair to your new piercing! One of the most important things that need to be considered when you get a tongue piercing is that the area will need to remain clean, and as it is in your mouth, this can be quite difficult, Your mouth is home to many different kinds of bacteria and if you are considering getting this kind of piercing, you should be aware that it is quite hard to keep clean. If you are not wanting the hassle of this kind of upkeep, another kind of piercing in a different area of the body may be a better fit!

How Much Do Tongue Piercings Hurt?

Tongue piercings are not considered to be extremely painful but it is extremely important that the procedure be done by a trained professional. The tongue has many different nerve endings and blood vessels that will need to be avoided when the piercing is done. In saying this, the actual pain of getting the tongue piercing is surprisingly minimal, with many saying that cartilage piercings are actually worse! Many actually say that the discomfort of having the piercing artist’s hands in the mouth is the most uncomfortable part of the procedure! The pain of a tongue ring may last anywhere between a few days to two weeks before the area will begin to heal and the soreness subsides.

Are Tongue Piercings Risk?

There are a few risks to getting your tongue pierced but if you go to a professional studio where the artist knows what they are doing, you lower this risk exponentially! Your tongue has many different nerve endings and blood vessels that need to be avoided when getting your tongue pierced. A piercing artist will be aware of these different locations and ensure that they do not end up hitting any of these nerves or vessels. Along with ensuring that you go to a reputable studio to get this piercing done, it is also vital that you properly care for the piercing once it has been done. Ensuring that the area does not get infected is extremely important and can ensure that you remain healthy and free from any infections that could cause you to get sick. As the mouth contains many different forms of bacteria it is extremely important that you closely monitor the healing progress of this piercing.

Can Anyone Get a Tongue Piercing?

So long as you do not have certain diseases or are allergic to anything that will be used through the piercing process, just about anyone can get a tongue ring if they want one! It is important to consult with a piercing artist and inform he or she of any preexisting conditions that you may have that could impact the piercing. Once this has been completed and your piercing artist has been made aware of any conditions that you may have, you will be free to get a tongue piercing!

How to Pierce Your Tongue?

Firstly, it is extremely important that you do not attempt to give yourself a tongue ring. There are many different blood vessels and nerve endings that can be hit if the procedure is not done correctly. Going to a piercing artist who knows how to pierce the tongue is vital and will ensure that you remain safe through the process. The artist will use a needle to make the hole and then quickly place the barbell into the hole that has been made. This process is extremely quick and will be over before you know it!

What Are the Types of Tongue Piercings?

There are many different tongue piercings, each type offering a unique look and style! The following is a brief look into some of the most popular tongue piercing types that you can look into getting!

  • Midline Tongue Piercings: This type of vertical tongue piercing is your standard style with one piece of jewelry inserted into the center of the tongue. Straight barbell jewelry is the most common type of jewelry that can be worn in this spot and most chose to go for this type of piercing when styling this part of the body!
  • Snake eyes piercings: This type of tongue piercing goes horizontally through the skin at the end of the tongue, with the two balls looking very similar to snake eyes, hence the name. This is a very unique style of piercing and many people who are going for a more original style and look will get this type of piercing!
  • Frenulum Piercings: The frenulum piercing is a type of tongue piercing that is located on the flap of skin underneath the tongue. This web-like piece of skin is extremely thin and generally takes less time to heal! It is also one of the least sore types of tongue piercings.

As you can see, there are many different types of tongue piercing placements that you can look into getting. For more information on different styles and whether or not they would be suitable for you, do not hesitate to contact a Cleopatra Ink studio!

How Long Does it Take a Tongue Piercing to Close?

The skin that makes up the tongue is extremely quick to heal which means that the amount of time that it takes for the hole to close is quite quick. Though tongue piercings generally heal in about five weeks, it is often recommended that you do not remove the jewelry for about six months. If you remove the jewelry too soon, you run the risk of having the hole close up before you can insert a new piece. By being aware of this and sticking to the allotted time frame that is suggested for keeping your original jewelry in, you can avoid the hole closing unexpectedly.

What Are the Side Effects of Tongue Piercing?

By being aware of the tongue piercing healing stages and knowing what to look out for in terms of an infection, you can avoid any potential side effects of getting a tongue ring. It is vital that you go to a professional who knows what they are doing as the tongue is an extremely sensitive part of the body with many nerve endings and blood vessels. Do research into getting your tongue pierced at a studio that has good references! Along with this, be sure to follow all aftercare instructions that are given to you by the piercing artist as this can ensure that the area does not become infected! By doing this, you can avoid any potential side effects and the risks involved in getting a tongue piercing!

How Long Does Tongue Piercing Take to Heal?

The amount of time that it takes for a tongue piercing to heal may depend on the type of piercing that you get. Generally, most tongue rings heal within the first five weeks after having gotten the piercing. This is because the tongue actually heals at quite a fast rate! Though your tongue may heal quite quickly, it is important to remember that the hole may close if the jewelry is not left in for a long enough time!

How Can Tongue Piercing Be Kept From Becoming Infected?

Keeping your tongue piercing clean and free from any germs or bacteria is extremely important! Though the mouth is one of the regions of the body that contains the most amount of bacteria, it is still possible to keep your piercing clean by following the correct tongue piercing aftercare instructions. Tongue piercing care is extremely important and will usually involve using an antibacterial mouthwash to not just keep your piercing clean but also ensure that bacteria is eradicated from the entire mouth. Your piercing artist will likely give you the name of a few suitable types of mouthwash to use so be sure to purchase one of these! One of the biggest tongue piercing risks is infection and keeping your piercing clean is extremely important for your health and safety.

How to Treat Infected Tongue Piercing?

One of the most obvious signs of infected tongue piercings is that the area will throb in pain and swell up, making it hard to eat or drink. If this happens, it is vital that you visit a doctor who can prescribe antibiotics that will kill off the infection. As the tongue piercing healing process is generally quite quick, you will only have to look out for a potential tongue piercing infection for the first few weeks after having gotten the piercing! While you can heal an infected tongue with antibiotics, it is important that you follow the aftercare instructions from the get-go to avoid developing a bad infection!

Piercing Aftercare: How to Take Care of a Tongue Piercing?

A healthy tongue piercing should heal within around five weeks though this can be longer if you do not properly care for it. Taking care of a tongue ring involves using mouthwash throughout the day to clean out any bacteria or germs. It is important that you do this regularly throughout the day, particularly if you have eaten a meal. By following the steps laid out to care for your piercing after you have gotten it, you can ensure that the area does not become infected!

When Can You Change Tongue Piercing?

A tongue piercing can only be changed after having had it for about six months. This is due to the fact that the tongue heals very quickly and it may begin to close once you have taken out the jewelry. If the tongue begins to close, you may puncture the skin around the hole when inserting a new piece of jewelry. It is important to wait for the full six months before removing the piercing to ensure that this does not happen! If it does, be sure to use the same aftercare instructions so that the area does not become infected.

How to Change Out a Tongue Piercing?

Changing out a tongue piercing is very easy, all you have to do is unscrew it and take the jewelry out! After it has been removed from the hole, quickly slide in your new piece of jewelry and make sure to securely tighten the ball back onto the barbell. This may change depending on the type of jewelry that you add to your piercing but generally, curved and straight barbells are considered to be the best kinds of jewelry to wear in tongue piercings!

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Piercing For Your Tongue?

There are many different styles of jewelry that can be used for a tongue piercing! The one that you use may depend on personal style and preference as well as the type of tongue piercing that you have done. With a variety of options for you to choose from, you can be sure that there are a number of unique and stylish ways for you to display your stunning tongue ring!

For more information on the types of tongue rings that you can get and the processes involved with this kind of piercing, do not hesitate to contact your nearest Cleopatra Ink studio!