So you're thinking about getting a tongue piercing. Or you just got one and have some questions. Here is my guide to tongue piercings.

Risks
I prefer to list risks of any piercing first. You need to know what the risks are in order to make an informed decision. Some of these are risks that are present in every piercing, others are specifically related to tongue piercings.

1. Infection. Infection is a risk in any piercing. You need to make sure that you go to a professional piercer. Please see my guide to selecting a piercer to learn what to look for. A professional piercer will make sure that all tools, needles and jewelry are sterile by using an autoclave. They will ensure that all surfaces are disinfected using hospital grade disinfectant. They will wear nitrile gloves to ensure both yours and their safety.

The risk of infection doesn't end at the door to the piercing studio. Most of the risks come with how you care for your piercing. Follow all aftercare instructions that you are given (these will be detailed later in the guide). Piercings need to be cared for and are a long term commitment. Be prepared to clean your piercing 4-5 times per day for the first 4 weeks.

2. Scars. While scars aren't really going to be noticeable on your tongue, they are a risk with every piercing. When you stick a needle through your skin, you will get a scar. The needle used is much bigger than what the doctor uses to give you a shot, and the mark will be that much bigger.

3. Tooth and Gum Damage. This is a risk with any piercing in your mouth. Proper placement and jewelry can minimize the risks of tooth and gum damage, but even with perfect piercings, the risk is still there. Personally, my tongue piercing was fine for almost 10 years before suddenly putting pressure on my bottom teeth. I had to retire the piercing rather than risk the health of my teeth. Be prepared to give up your piercing if it starts to affect your teeth. Dental work is very expensive and if the damage is too great, even your dentist may not be able to fix it.

Myths
There are a lot of myths about tongue piercings, I will try to address the more common ones here.

1. Tongue piercings are more prone to infections than other piercings. Mouths are dirty.
There is no greater risk of infection in a tongue piercing than in any other piercing. You do need to follow the aftercare instructions and abstain from oral activities with others in the beginning.

2. If your tongue piercing gets infected it's worse because the veins/arteries are connected to your heart.
I have news for you. All your veins and arteries are connected to your heart. It's the pump that moves the blood through your body. Any infection which gets into the blood stream is potentially life threatening. If you think you have an infection, go to your doctor.

3. Having a tongue piercing means you're easy
I think this is one of those lessons that porn has taught us. Just like all women are skinny with huge boobs, all men have 10 inch penises and jail is the perfect place to get busy. A piercing does not make a person easy or slutty. Sure, many people who are easy have tongue piercings, but a lot of people with tongue piercings are not easy - and don't appreciate the assumptions!

4. A tongue piercing can hit a vein and you can bleed to death.
There are some rather large blood vessels in the tongue, but they are pretty easily seen. Look under your tongue. There are two veins running down the length of it. Most people will have these on either side, but some are closer to the middle. If they do run down the middle, you may not be a candidate for tongue piercing - a consultation with a piercer will tell you for sure. As for bleeding to death, even if the piercing hit one of those veins, the chances are pretty slim. If you have a clotting disorder and you decided to get pierced by a lousy piercer who hit the vein and the piercer didn't know how to stop the bleeding and you decided not to get medical attention you probably could bleed to death.

5. A tongue piercing can hit a nerve and your face will be paralyzed.
There is no truth to this one at all. People split their tongues in half and have full mobility of their tongues and faces. If this rumor were true, you would risk paralysis every time you bit your tongue.

6. You can't eat bread with a fresh tongue piercing because you can get a yeast infection in your mouth.
There is some truth to this one. Many years ago, piercers suggested mouthwash as aftercare for tongue piercings (we have since learned better). Overuse of mouthwash will kill off the good bacteria in the mouth that helps keep everything in check. This leaves a person open to a thrush infection, which is a yeast infection in the mouth. Bread really doesn't have much to do with it, but if you mess with the proper balance in your mouth, bad things can happen.

How to Prepare
You've made your decision to get a tongue piercing. What do you need to do before you go to the piercing studio?

1. Make sure you have your non-iodized sea salt bought and at home. You will need it to clean your piercing when you get back home.

2. Eat. You want to have a good meal about an hour before your appointment. Make sure it's a well balanced, healthy meal that includes complex carbohydrates. This will help to keep your blood sugar stable and prevent you from feeling light headed. Don't overdo it, but make sure you feel full.

3. Get your ID. Even if you look well over the age of 18, a piercer is still going to want to take a look at your ID. They may request a copy of it for their records. Be prepared and have it with you.

4. Don't take any pain medications or anti-inflammatory medications, unless you regularly take these medications prescribed by your doctor. Medication can thin your blood or cause other complications with piercing. Be prepared to tell your artist about any medications you're taking and any medical conditions you may have. These questions will be on the release form.

5. Try to relax. The pain will be over in a second and is nothing to get worked up over. A good piercing artist will be able to help keep you calm and answer all of your questions.

At the Studio

You will be greeted by the receptionist/artist. Tell them why you are there.
Your artist will take you back to the piercing area and take a look at your tongue to make sure you can get it pierced.
Your artist should then explain the procedure and aftercare instructions.
They will then set up the piercing area. They should be wearing gloves.
Your artist will mark your tongue and have you rinse your mouth out with oral disinfectant.
Your artist will give you a dental bib (you will drool!) and place the clamps on your tongue.
Next step is the needle, followed immediately by the jewelry. this part is over in just a few seconds.
The artist will secure the jewelry and make sure you are feeling okay. They will ask you to remain seated for at least 5 minutes after the piercing, to make sure you don't feel light headed. They will usually explain the aftercare again and give you a copy of the instructions.
Done! The whole thing will likely take about 30 minutes.

At Home

Clean your piercing 4-5 times per day with the mild sea salt solution, usually in the morning, after meals and before bed. If you feel the need to rinse your mouth out more often, use plain water.
Avoid using mouthwash for the first week or so. After about a week, use it the way you normally would for oral hygiene. If it stings, stop and give it a few more days.
Avoid alcohol, very spicy foods, acidic food and drink (ex. orange juice) for the first 2 weeks.
There is no need to avoid breads and other food with yeast.
Use Popsicles or ice chips to help keep the swelling down.
You can take anit-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen according to the package directions to help with the swelling.
After the first 2 weeks, make sure to brush your jewelry when you brush your teeth.

What to expect
Swelling will last for up to 2 weeks.
Soreness should subside within the first week or so.
Talking will be difficult for the first few days.
You may have a bit of a lisp until you get used to the piercing. This will improve when the jewelry is downsized.
After 2 weeks you should return to your piercer to downsize the jewelry.
You may notice a white build up on your jewelry after a while. This is plaque. Brush your jewelry when you brush your teeth (after the first few weeks)
You will probably have a bit of a dent in your tongue where the jewelry rests on it. This is normal. If it seems like it's sinking into your tongue, go see your piercer.

Tags & Keywords : body piercing, aftercare, healing time, tongue piercing