Tongue piercing, among much other body modification, need a unique approach if you're to undergo a successful one. The tongue is an integral part of your body that needs careful attention since it's the course to which you change your life for good and shape, produce and present sound.

Since the tongue is vital in enjoying the goodies of life, cherishing it with an oral body modification can be a way of appreciating the wonders of creation. But you don't want to do something that will create issues, damages, and untimely death.

Tongue piercing has become so popular among youths and celebrities, and there's a need to learn about its placement, aftercare best practices, cost, and more before booking a doctor's appointment for your tongue piercing.

In this article, here's everything you need to know about your tongue piercing before opting for one. In fact, you'll discover 11 essential things to consider before getting your tongue pierced. Mind you; this is not advice or a must-followed laid down rule; this is virtually a guide and precautions, an insight that would help if you decide to go for a tongue piercing today.

If you are ready to dive in, here are the 11 essential questions or things you should consider before piercing your tongue. Let's begin with the meaning of tongue piercing!

Tongue Piercing Meaning

Tongue piercings are simply piercings made on the tongue, which may be horizontal or vertical. A tongue piercing is popular among youths and celebrities; it's a body modification that requires a lot of care in its early stage.

1. What Are the Jewelry Styles Available for Tongue Piercing

As an aspiring tongue-piercing enthusiast, there is a style you already reminisce about in your mind and probably want something of that nature. You may have even checked Pinterest for different styles and chosen one; it's okay, but that may not fit your body anatomy. Your anatomy will determine the style of jewelry the professional will use for you. Here are some of the styles available that your piercer may choose for you after examining your tongue

1. Straight Barbell: This jewelry has a long bar with two beads at both ends. Inserting this jewelry would only require screwing either end and then slipping it through the piercing hole, after which it is screwed back.

Choosing this jewelry will depend on your anatomy as it needs to be long enough to accommodate the piercing hole and short enough that it doesn't munch on the hole too.

2. Flat Back Studs: it looks like the straight barbell; the only difference is that it has a flat end instead of a beadlike end

3. Gauge Size: this type depends on the size of the needle used for your piercing. We have 12G and 14G, depending on your choice after the professional has explained to you

2. What Time Is Right to Change My Jewelry

Tongue piercing, like any other piercing, needs to be completely healed before you can change your jewelry yourself. As with the tongue, it may appear healed when it's not; instead, go to your piercers to examine if it has fully healed before updating your jewelry with a new one.

To avoid damaging your piercing or elongating the healing time, carefully pay attention to slight pains when gently moving your tongue. If your urge for a piece of new jewelry is so severe, you can kindly go to your piercer to change it professionally.

3.Are There Infections to Tongue Piercings?

As common with all piercings, tongue piercing also has infections that may occur if adequate attention is not given to your piercing. Ideally, every tongue piercing initial healing symptoms will look like an infection - that doesn't mean that yours has caught up with infections.

In the first few days, your tongue piercing will experience light bleeding, throbbing pain, tongue swelling, and a few discharges around the piercing. Do not be afraid when you see this; it is normal.

The big deal is that a tongue piercing infection is extreme pain, persistent swelling, and a green or grey discharge from the piercing site. If you notice these symptoms, it is time to see your doctor or a piercing professional.

Apart from infections, there are a few other things you should watch for if you get pierced today.

Rejection, scarring, and teeth breaking are some defects you may look out for as soon as you get pierced. Your tongue piercing is rejected if it moves from its initial position to another due to stress and trauma.

Tongue scarring occurs as a result of rejection - if your piercing experience trauma during the healing time, there will be a high probability of scarring, which doesn't always happen.

While teeth breaking may occur within the first few days, it's okay for you to visit your piercing professional to get your tongue piercing fitted with a smaller barbell.

4.How Long Does It Take for a Tongue Piercing to Heal?

Typically, a tongue piercing heals between 4 - 6 weeks. But you can devise how to heal your tongue piercing fast by following your piercers' advice. Worthy of note is that tongue piercing has one the fastest healing timeframe, and if you're not careful, it may close up, leaving you with no option.

Ideally, the tongue looks like a tongue bite, which can close up if no jewelry is worn. Regarding any other piercing, some factors may hinder your piercing from being healed fast. Ensure you follow the aftercare best practices for swift healing.

5. What Are the Aftercare Best Practices?

Even though your tongue piercing heals fasting more than all other piercings, it still faces many dangers, like bacteria that your saliva harbors, drinks, food, and more. You need to be extra careful with your regular rinsings and remove things that shouldn't be there while heeding your aftercare best practices. A few tips might help you achieve hitch-free best care practices.

Do a Sea Salt Mouthwash Daily.

If you're ever going to become successful with your tongue-piercing healing process, the salt solution should be your daily routine aftercare best practice, which should go for at least three times daily. To achieve this, mix a cup of warm purified water with a teaspoon of non iodized salt and put it in your mouth for a couple of minutes, swishing it thoroughly. Another method you can use to achieve an awesome result is using a saline solution containing nothing else than sterile water with sodium chloride.

Your meal should be a mixture of soft food from the start of the healing process. At this time, you'll experience soreness that you won't be able to handle chewing; it's fine; continue with your soft food as you get used to your jewelry. You also need to avoid acidic or spicy food at this time while getting accustomed to your new piercing.

Use a Toothbrush and Sea Salt Daily.

Another vital aspect of obtaining a successful tongue piercing is using a toothbrush after every meal. Remove every food debris that may clinch your piercing after each meal.

Ensure you also avoid cigarettes and alcohol; for the time being, taking alcohol may cause irritation, which you wouldn't bet for at the same time. You'll also need to avoid oral sex, like kissing your partner(s), so you do not get injured and prolong the healing time.

6. Who’s Qualified to Get a Tongue Piercing?

Tongue piercing was never designed for everyone; if your tongue is too short and you can't stick your tongue out very far to a large extent, you won't be able to get your tongue pierced.

Also, if your tongue webbing is too long, you won't be able to get pierced too. Your tongue won't be able to offer a proper place for the professional to punch through.

When carrying out any piercing around the mouth, the professional is always careful so that it won't damage your teeth. Any mistake would make you toothless - your jewelry doesn't need to rub your teeth; if it rubs, it will wear off your enamel, receding gum lines, and could also cause chipped teeth. Also, if you're already struggling with oral health issues, tongue piercing isn't for you.

Lastly, some belief system places tongue piercing as erotic; if you're living in such places, you should think twice before getting one. Also, you must be 18 and above before getting a tongue piercing.

7. How Much Does It Cost to Get a Tongue Piercing?

Getting a tongue piercing varies from city to city - some professional piercing shops charges between $30 and $120. Others may charge higher, but on average, you will see this in many piercings shops. The amount may include jewelry that would be used after the piercing.

Since the tongue piercing is highly delicate, ensure you look for a professional even though the price might be way higher than usual. Safety is essential, and a good piercer should guide you during such times.

8. What Are the Placement Available for Tongue Piercing?

It all boils down to your preference when you are talking about placement. That said, the standard placement is at the center of the tongue, but it can be moved forward, backward, side, or even a double-pierced frog piercing.

The standard method should make all the difference if you ease on the go, but the double frog will produce an eye-like appearance if you want something more complex. There's another called the snake eye tongue piercing; this is purely unsafe since it is pierced on multiple tongue muscles.

The safest and highly recommended tongue piercing is the frog eye tongue piercing, which is pierced at the tip of your tongue. Many times, it may not even touch any of your muscles.

9. Does Tongue Piercing Come With Pain?

When it comes to how painful your tongue piercing will be, there are a couple of things you should know.

When you're pierced, it feels like a normal tongue bit; the real pain comes days after you have had the piercing. Since you already know that it heals faster than any other piercing, you virtually won't give it a day off as it will exhume healing pains and swelling.

Your tongue piercing will be swollen in the first couple of days; that's normal, and you don't need to panic. However, if it persists more than it should or becomes swollen after it has healed, you need to seek medical attention quickly.

10. Where Can I Get My Tongue Pierced?

Tongue piercings are mainly carried out in certified piercing centers or shops. It is done by a professional in a well-ventilated arena. You are never advised to get any oral piercing from roadside vendors or kiosks. Since your health is worth the matter most, ensure you follow through with your piercers' instructions.

11. Things to Expect During Your Tongue Piercing Appointment

If you have found a professional piercing center or shop to do your tongue piercing, that's great. Things you should expect during your appointment are everyday things you already know.

First, you'll be asked to brush your mouth, and also, you will also be given some mouthwash before the doctor examines the side where your piercing will fit. Before the needle is pierced through your tongue, the piercer must properly look at it to ascertain if your tongue sticks out enough to sustain tongue piercing.

Some Common Questions Asked About Tongue Piercing:

How to Heal Tongue Piercing Fast

You can make your tongue piercing heals faster by doing the following.

1. Don't hurriedly eat your meals.
2. Maintain a healthy diet while also sleeping the usual 8 hours of sleep
3. Always place small bites of food towards the ending part of your mouth
4. Eat frozen and cold food to reduce swelling
5. Eat small blended food in the first few days of your piercing
6. I don't want my tongue piercing anymore

Signs of Infected Tongue Piercing

Since pain varies from individual to individual, you may experience any of the following pains or symptoms. That said, the following are some of the signs of an infected tongue piercing:

1. You will experience minor swelling
2. You will experience a slight throbbing
3. You will see redness around the piercing
4. You will see a white or clear discharge from the spot
5. You will experience warmth or heat