If biting your tongue makes you squeamish, this might not be the article for you, because today we’re talking about tongue piercings. If you're thinking about getting one, you might be wondering: How much does a tongue piercing cost? How long do tongue piercings take to heal? And how bad does a tongue piercing hurt? These are all important questions, and we’re here to break down what you need to know before making the big decision. From the healing process to what to expect during the piercing, we'll cover it all in this guide!
Throughout history, humans have pierced their tongues for diverse reasons. However, it wasn't until the 1980s, with the advent of stainless steel body jewelry, that this piercing gained modern popularity. A tongue piercing is a type of body modification where a small hole is made through the tongue to insert jewelry, usually a barbell. The piercing is typically done in the middle of the tongue, but there are other types of tongue piercings we'll explore below.
If biting your tongue makes you squeamish, this might not be the article for you, because today we’re talking about tongue piercings! Throughout history, humans have pierced their tongues for diverse reasons. However, it wasn't until the 1980s, with the advent of stainless steel body jewelry, that tongue piercing gained modern popularity.
The most popular placement for a tongue piercing is along the midline or center of the tongue. This standard tongue piercing, also known as the vertical tongue piercing, involves using a straight barbell, pierced vertically through the center, right between the two muscles that make up the tongue.
A double piercing, often referred to as a “Venom” piercing or snake bite tongue piercing, utilizes two straight barbells placed next to each other and pierced vertically through the tongue.
The frenulum piercing passes through the small web of skin under your tongue. While not easily visible, this piercing can be done if you lift up your tongue. Some piercers avoid this underneath of tongue piercing due to the skin's unsuitability for supporting a piercing.
We must discuss the horizontal piercing, also known as the snake eyes tongue piercing, and why it’s not recommended. This piercing uses a straight barbell to pierce horizontally through the tongue, often towards the tip of the tongue, with the balls resting on either side of the tongue. There are significant issues with this horizontal tip of tongue piercing:
The tongue is full of veins and muscles, which make getting this piercing risky. It's important to choose a reputable piercer who understands tongue anatomy. Not everyone has the right anatomy for a safe piercing. A good piercer will check to make sure your veins aren’t too close to the piercing spot, and they’ll aim for the best placement for your anatomy to avoid damage to your teeth, tongue and gums. Proper placement makes all the difference for healing and safety.
When you get pierced, your piercer will use a barbell longer than what you will need once healed, to accommodate swelling. Opt for high-quality jewelry like implant grade titanium for a smoother healing period.
Once the swelling goes down, you can downsize the jewelry to avoid biting down on it and prevent teeth and gum damage.
Although it might sound painful, most people say it’s not as painful as they expected. You’ll feel a quick pinch during the piercing, but the pain doesn’t last long.
The tongue piercing price varies depending on the location, but it usually ranges from $30 to $100. If you're searching for a "tongue piercing near me," remember that prices also depend on the shop's location, the piercer's experience and the type of jewelry. Choose high-quality initial jewelry like implant grade titanium for better healing. Keep in mind that higher-quality jewelry or going to a very experienced piercer might cost more, but it's worth it to ensure your piercing is safe and done correctly.
So, how long does it take a tongue piercing to heal? Fortunately, our mouths like to heal quickly, meaning the healing time will be mercifully short compared to some other piercings, usually needing just a month or two.
After getting the piercing, pain and noticeable swelling is normal for up to a week. You'll have trouble talking and eating during this time. Ice or ice pops can help with the swelling. Stay hydrated and eat soft foods during this time.
After the swelling goes down, it's important to downsize the jewelry to prevent biting down on it and causing damage to teeth and gums.
As the piercing continues to heal, keep an eye out for any signs of an infection on the tongue piercing.
Taking care of your piercing is really important to help it heal properly. Follow your piercer's aftercare for a tongue piercing. In general, rinse your mouth two to three times a day with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Maintain your everyday dental care by diligently brushing your teeth and flossing to help prevent a piercing infection.
Other aftercare tips:
Before removing the jewelry, wash your hands. First, make sure the piercing is completely healed. If you're unsure if your piercing is healed, have a piercer check it out.
Tongue piercings typically use a straight barbell. It's crucial that these barbells are threaded to minimize the risk of them being accidentally pulled out and swallowed when worn in your mouth. Talk to your piercer about the gauge and length you need for your jewelry.
SHOP TONGUE PIERCING JEWELRY
Be cautious of potential tooth damage. While a properly placed barbell should keep the balls away from your teeth, using low profile ends or acrylic balls can minimize damage if accidental biting occurs.
How do you hide your tongue piercing? If you need to hide your tongue piercing, you can use a clear or flesh-colored retainer instead of regular jewelry. Retainers made of plastic or glass blend in with your tongue, making them less noticeable.
Okay, so there are a couple of ways to insert this retainer. You can go top down, which means you'll put the flare end on the top of your tongue and the O-ring on the bottom. Or, you can do it vice versa, with the O-ring on top and the flare on the bottom. Personally, we've found that going top down is the easiest in our experience.
Here's a quick step-by-step guide to help you insert your tongue piercing retainer:
And there you have it! Your tongue piercing retainer is comfortably in place.
Remember, everyone's experience might be slightly different, so take your time and find what works best for you. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to consult a professional piercer for guidance.
SHOP TONGUE RETAINERS
Not everyone is a good fit for a tongue piercing. People with short tongues or those who are tongue-tied may not have enough room for a safe piercing. If your veins are too close to the piercing area, it could also be risky.
Additionally, if you have dental issues, such as easily damaged teeth or gums, a tongue piercing might cause more harm than good. It’s always best to talk to a professional piercer about whether a tongue piercing is right for you.
How long before you can kiss with a tongue piercing?
It’s best to wait until the piercing has completely healed. Kissing too soon can introduce bacteria to the piercing and slow down healing.
How long does it take for a tongue piercing to close?
It can start to close up surprisingly fast if you remove the jewelry, especially if it’s still healing. For a newer piercing, it can close in just a few hours or days. Even if the piercing is fully healed, it may begin to close within a week if left empty. To keep the hole open, it’s best to keep the jewelry in place as much as possible.
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