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!
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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.
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, with the barbell ends resting on either side of the tongue. But a word of warning, there are significant issues with this horizontal 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.
Thinking about getting your tongue pierced but worried about the pain? You might be surprised! While everyone's pain tolerance is different, tongue piercings are often less painful than people expect. The actual piercing is usually quick, but the healing process can be a little uncomfortable.
Most people describe getting their tongue pierced as a quick pinch or a feeling of strong pressure that only lasts a second or two. On a typical piercing pain scale, tongue piercings often rank lower than you might think.
However, the swelling and soreness afterward are usually more uncomfortable than the piercing itself.
It's normal for your tongue to swell and feel sensitive during the first few days. Since you use your tongue for so many everyday activities, you might notice some temporary changes.
These symptoms should gradually improve as your tongue heals. If swelling becomes severe or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, seek immediate medical attention.
For most people, the actual tongue piercing is the easy part! The quick pinch is over before you know it. It's usually the swelling and soreness during the first few days that people remember most.
As long as you're prepared for some temporary discomfort and follow proper aftercare, the healing process can be much more manageable.
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, the mouth tends to heal relatively quickly compared to other piercings. A tongue piercing usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks to heal, although everyone’s healing process is different. When you’re wondering how long your tongue piercing will take to heal, things like proper aftercare, irritation, and your unique healing rate all affect the timeline.
During the early healing stages, noticeable swelling, tenderness, and discomfort are normal for tongue piercings, especially during the first week. Talking and eating may also be more difficult while your tongue is swollen. Ice or non-dairy ice pops can help soothe swelling and discomfort. Stay hydrated and stick with soft foods that are easier to eat during this initial healing period.
As the swelling goes down, you'll need to downsize to a shorter barbell as part of your aftercare regimen. While the longer initial jewelry provides the room for swelling, once that swelling goes down, properly fitted jewelry will help reduce the chance of biting down on the barbell and potentially damaging your teeth or gums. Talk to your piercer about when you should make an appointment to downsize your jewelry.
During the later tongue piercing healing stages, tenderness and swelling should continue to improve. You'll need to keep up with your aftercare until it is fully healed. Avoid playing with or moving the jewelry, and keep an eye out for unusual symptoms that could indicate a problem, including signs of an infection on the tongue piercing. If healing doesn't improve, go see your piercer or a doctor.
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. Avoid threadless barbells, because the ends could be tugged out while eating or during other activities and can cause significant tissue damage if swallowed. Talk to your piercer about the gauge and length you need for your jewelry.
SHOP TONGUE RINGS AND BARBELLS
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.
Thinking about getting your tongue pierced? Tongue piercings look great, but there are a few things you should know before getting one. Let's break down the pros and cons of having a tongue piercing so you know what to expect!
One of the biggest advantages of a tongue piercing is its healing time. Most tongue piercings heal in about 4 to 8 weeks, which is much faster than many other body piercings. However, healing can take longer if you experience complications.
Another benefit is that tongue piercings are pretty discreet! Unlike facial piercings, they're usually only visible when you talk, laugh, or stick out your tongue. This makes them a great option if you want a piercing that's easy to keep low-key.
Surprisingly, many people say getting their tongue pierced isn't as painful as they expected. Most describe the actual piercing as a quick pinch rather than intense pain. Of course, everyone's pain tolerance is different!
One of the biggest downsides is swelling. Your tongue will likely swell during the first few days, making eating, drinking, and talking feel a little strange. This is usually temporary, but it can definitely be uncomfortable.
Tongue jewelry can cause oral damage if it constantly hits your teeth or rubs against your gums. Over time, this can lead to:
To help reduce these risks, choose properly fitted, low-profile jewelry and avoid clicking or playing with it against your teeth. You'll also need to have your jewelry professionally downsized once the initial swelling goes down. Even properly fitted jewelry can still cause damage, so regular dental checkups are important.
You'll need to be careful about what you eat while your tongue heals. Hot, spicy, and acidic foods can irritate your fresh piercing, so it's best to avoid them until your tongue feels better.
Soft, cool foods will be your best friend during the first few days!
Tongue piercings require good oral hygiene, both during healing and afterward. You'll need to:
Keeping your mouth clean helps reduce irritation and the risk of infection.
Tongue piercings have some great benefits, including relatively quick healing and discreet placement. However, swelling, oral health risks, and extra aftercare are important things to consider.
Before getting pierced, visit an experienced professional piercer who can check your anatomy and help you choose properly fitted jewelry. It's also a good idea to talk with your dentist about the potential risks.
Knowing the pros and cons ahead of time can help you decide whether a tongue piercing is right for you!
Learning how to change your tongue piercing jewelry is an important part of having a tongue piercing. Whether you're switching to a new style or replacing an old barbell, it's important to do it safely to avoid irritation or injury.
The good news is that changing tongue jewelry is usually quick and easy once your piercing is fully healed. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step by step and share a few tips to make it easier.
Before removing your jewelry, make sure your tongue piercing is completely healed. Changing jewelry too early can irritate the piercing channel, cause discomfort, and even lead to complications.
If you're unsure whether your piercing has healed, check with your professional piercer before changing your jewelry.
Cleanliness is important whenever you're handling body jewelry.
Starting with clean hands and jewelry helps reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into the piercing.
Place your fingers underneath your tongue and firmly hold the bottom ball of the barbell. This keeps the jewelry steady while you remove the top ball.
Using your other hand, turn the top ball counterclockwise until it comes off.
If the ball feels stuck, don't panic. Sometimes jewelry can be difficult to grip, especially if your hands are wet.
Once the top ball is removed, gently slide the barbell out of your tongue piercing.
Move slowly and carefully to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Take your new tongue ring and insert it from the bottom of the tongue upward. This follows the same path as the original jewelry and makes installation easier.
Once the barbell is in place, screw the top ball onto the threaded end of the jewelry.
Make sure it's snug and secure, but don't overtighten it. You want the ball tight enough that it won't come loose during normal wear.
Sometimes the ball on your tongue jewelry can be difficult to unscrew. If you're having trouble getting a good grip, try one of these tricks:
If you still can't remove the jewelry, visit a professional piercer for assistance.
Knowing how to change tongue piercing jewelry can help you safely switch styles and keep your piercing looking great. Always wait until your tongue piercing is fully healed, wash your hands before handling jewelry, and take your time during the process.
If you experience pain, swelling, or difficulty changing your jewelry, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional piercer for help.
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. In our experience, we've found that going top down is the easier method.
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.
It’s best to wait until the piercing has completely healed. Kissing too soon can introduce bacteria to the piercing and slow down healing.
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.
We hope you found this helpful and of course, please remember to follow us on all our socials @Bodyartforms!
