Tongue Piercing

Tongue Piercing has been around forever…or at least for such a long time that it feels like forever. The oldest recorded rituals of tongue piercing go back to the times of the Aztecs and the Mayans, where people would pierce their tongues as a way to draw blood as an offering to their gods. This may sound strange and neurotic, but blood offerings were common in those cultures.

Fast forward hundreds of years, and it is more popular than ever, although no longer for any type of offering. It has become an important part of fashion, especially among teenagers and people who like to wear a lot of piercings. Not only used as a means to express one’s style, people also pierce their tongue for “sexual enhancements.”

One of the most controversial piercings, there are many risks that can arise during and after the piercing. Some of the worst include brain abscesses, scar tissue, damaged nerves and the spread of deadly diseases. These have resulted in plenty of horror stories about tongue piercings that went wrong, and all of this has resulted in a lot of negative press. It is especially frowned upon by dentists, who have seen many clients coming in with chipped teeth and damaged gums. Accordingly, parents have come to dislike this piercing as well. They are exposed only to the headlines about piercings, which are generally quite negative.

In spite of all the controversy, and partly because of it, tongue piercings remain wildly popular, and have been for about the last 20 years. In contrast to the possible dangers, there are a number of reasons people decide to pierce their tongues. Not only is it done for style, people who have tongue piercings claim kissing and oral sex are significantly enhanced.

A pierced tongue may not have as many variations as certain other body piercings. The most common is a barbell that is pierced through a single hole in the center of the tongue. It is also possible to double pierce, venom pierce or multi-pierce one’s tongue, although this is quite rare. The actual piercing is always some type of barbell, with different variations in length, and is pierced through the tongue at a slight angle. There are different materials used to make these barbells, and the top end of the barbell can be changed easily, providing some sort of variety for tongue piercings.

No matter how you feel about tongue piercings, you can´t deny their prevalence in pop culture, and this is unlikely to change any time soon. Tongue Piercing Online was created to provide a site where each and every person can find everything they need to know about tongue piercings, without surfing through dozens of sites. We hope you find the information useful, and would welcome and questions or suggestions.

2 Comments » Posted by admin / Tongue Piercing Home Page

There are some risks involved in getting a tongue piercing. You should be aware of these risks before getting your tongue pierced, so you can take measures to prevent them from happening!

Excess bleeding - Surely you are all smart enough to know that when you get your tongue pierced, there will be blood! That is basic physiology. However, when the tongue is pierced, a blood vessel can be perforated. This causes a lot of bleeding, and usually you will have to go to the hospital to have it closed surgically.

Loss of feeling – there are some rare cases where a tongue piercing has resulted in loss of feeling, because of a damaged nerve. This is not a myth, although it is very rare.

Scar Tissue – some people who get a tongue piercing end up getting scar tissue on the tongue. This will result in a bump on the tongue around the piercing. In some cases, it can get quite large, and if you have ever heard of a “second tongue” because of a tongue piercing, this is what they are referring to.

Damage to mouth and teeth – most dentists do not like tongue piercings AT ALL! Why? Quite often, a they can cause chipped or cracked teeth, or lead to the loss of a tooth. It can also cause damage to the gums, and cause the gums to recede.

Swelling – your tongue will most definitely swell after getting a tongue piercing, but the amount of swelling will vary from person to person. Many people are unable to talk for a few days after they pierce their tongue.

Speech difficulty – a tongue piercing can make it difficult to talk properly. Most people adapt to the change, and can eventually talk normally again. There are some people who lisp because of the tongue piercing, but this is most common with large a tongue piercing, or a double piercing.

Spread of diseases – a tongue piercing can lead to the spread of diseases. This is most common if the tongue piercing is not done by a professional, or if the piercing is not properly cared for.

More tongue piercing information:

Tongue Piercing Home Page
Caring for your Tongue Piercing
Tongue Piercing Benefits
Types of Oral Piercings
Tongue Piercing Infections
Tongue Piercing Horror Stories

2 Comments » Posted by admin / Dangers and Tongue Piercing Home Page

Ok, so we have seen that there are a ton of possible risks involved in getting a tongue piercing, right? Correct. And many people will try to scare you away with all these things. The truth is, most of these dangers can be avoided with proper tongue piercing care. The following is a list of suggestions to help you with both before and after you get a tongue ring.

Before:

• First and most importantly, pick a piercer who is experienced, skilled, and professional. How can you do this?
• Get a recommendation from someone who has already had their tongue pierced.
• Talk to the person who is going to pierce your tongue. Do you feel comfortable with them? Are they willing to take the time to help and inform you? Do they sound knowledgeable?
• Make sure the piercing parlor is clean and uses sterile equipment. Also ensure that they follow you country or states piercing regulations and standards.
• Be informed! That is likely what you are doing right now by reading this webpage. Keep it up! The more informed you are, the better!

After:
Here are some suggestions on proper tongue piercing care so that you don’t experience any after-piercing problems. These are very important, and you should already have a list from your piercer as well, describing everything you need to do. Make sure to follow it closely!

• Rinsing. One of the most important things, this should be done about 10 times per day, and right after eating or drinking anything beside water. You should rinse with a mouthwash, preferably alcohol free, that has been diluted to ¼ strength. This is important so as not to kill the “good” enzymes that help prevent infections. You can also rinse with warm salt water.
• Be careful while you eat! Having a tongue piercing will be quite different, and especially at the beginning, when you have a longer dumbbell, you need to take extra care not to accidentally bite it.
• Make sure to clean your piercing with a soft bristled toothbrush, to prevent plaque buildup. As with anytime you touch your piercing, make sure to clean your hands first, preferable with an antibacterial soap.
• Oral sex and kissing should not be performed for about 4 to 6 weeks after getting your tongue piecing.
• Keep foreign objects out of your mouth, to prevent harmful bacteria from entering.
• Do not play with your tongue piercing as this will aggravate it, and increase swelling of your tongue.
• Be sure to drink lots of cold water to decrease swelling of the tongue. You can also suck on ice chunks throughout the day to further minimize swelling.
• Wait at least 10 days before you change your piercing. If you try to change it too early, the hole will close.

More tongue piercing information:

Tongue Piercing Home Page
Tongue Piercing Risks
Tongue Piercing Benefits
Types of Oral Piercings
Tongue Piercing Infections
Tongue Piercing Horror Stories

1 Comment » Posted by admin / How to Care for your Tongue Piercing and Tongue Piercing Home Page