Curious about tongue web piercings? You’ve come to the right place! We’ll answer questions like, “What does proper web piercing aftercare entail?” and much more. This guide goes over everything you need to know about the frenulum tongue web piercing!
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Starting off, what is this piercing? Unlike a standard tongue piercing which goes through the midline of the tongue, a tongue web piercing is a piercing that goes through the tongue’s lingual frenulum. That’s the thin web of skin on the under side of the tongue that connects it to the floor of the mouth. It’s part of the mucous membrane inside the mouth, which helps keep the mouth protected and moist.
It’s similar to the smiley and frowny piercings, but unlike those, a tongue web piercing won't be in contact with your teeth. It doesn’t pass between the muscles of the tongue, and it’s completely hidden unless you're showing it off!
Always start by finding a reputable, professional piercer with experience with the piercing you want. Your piercer will look underneath your tongue to make sure your anatomy can support a piercing. If it doesn't, they can suggest something else.
Some people have a condition called ankyloglossia, also called being ‘tongue tied.’ This is when the tongue web is too short, tight, or thick and causes restricted movement. It is not recommended to get tongue piercings with this condition.
If your can get your tongue web pierced, they will pierce you with either an implant grade titanium curved barbell or circular barbell. The jewelry will be 16g. The length will be determined by your piercer, and will be a little longer to accommodate for swelling. Your piercer will let you know when to come back to downsize.
The average price of a tongue web piercing is $50-$60, not including the price of jewelry. This price can vary depending on the shop and piercer.
So, how much does a tongue web piercing hurt? How painful is a tongue web piercing compared to other piercings? The tongue web is very thin, with not many nerves or blood vessels going through it. Most people report it being very low on the pain scale. Some barely feel it at all! The process is typically easy, and less painful than most other piercings.
How long do tongue frenulum piercings take to heal? Luckily, tongue web piercings take a shorter time to heal than other piercings. They average about two to three months, though it could be longer depending on your body and aftercare. The mouth has strong blood flow and a healthy lymphatic system, which can help oral piercings heal faster than some other piercings. If you notice anything worrying, contact your piercer for advice.
A tongue web piercing is an oral piercing, so you'll need to practice oral piercing aftercare. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash or a saline solution twice a day to clean your piercing. Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything other than water. You may also want to avoid irritating foods for a while. That means anything overly spicy, salty, or acidic. These foods can irritate sensitive areas in the mouth, including the soft palate. Also avoid touching or playing with your new piercing.
It’s important to keep up with your oral hygiene even once you’ve healed. Buildup can occur around this piercing if not cleaned, which can cause irritation and bad breath. Just be careful not to over clean, which can strip the mouth of helpful bacteria. This can lead to things like oral thrush, which can irritate your piercing.
Remember, your oral health is connected to a wider array of health issues, and should be prioritized. If you notice any worrying dental issues like discoloration or damage, see a dentist immediately or other healthcare worker.
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The most common jewelry for tongue web piercings will be curved barbells, or rings such as, captive bead rings, circular barbells and clickers. Straight barbells and labrets are not recommended. Curved barbells and rings are better suited for the curved anatomy of the mouth.
One major benefit of this piercing is that no one can see it! It will be completely hidden under the tongue. This makes it appealing for piercing fans who can't have visible piercings. And unlike the smiley and frowny piercing, tongue web piercings don't sit against the teeth.
It also won’t affect your sense of taste. The tongue web piercing doesn’t sit near the papillae, the tiny bumps on the surface of the tongue that contain your taste buds. It also sits under the tongue instead of near the tip of the tongue.
This piercing also does not pass through the tongue’s intrinsic muscles, nor the lingual veins. It also avoids the tongue’s extrinsic muscles, which help move the tongue around the mouth.
That said, there are still some cons and other things to be aware of.
Just like the smiley and frowny piercing, these are prone to migration and rejection. The connective tissue of the frenulum is very thin and easy to tear. Even though it doesn't sit against your teeth, you can still have gum erosion. For these reasons, many piercers will opt to not do tongue web piercings.
This piercing is also located near the submandibular glands also known as the salivary glands. That means this body piercing builds up plaque faster and can lead to bad breath.
If you have a tongue web piercing and notice any signs of migrations, rejection, or dental issues, see your piercer immediately.
That’s a quick guide on tongue web piercings. We hope this was helpful!
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