Aug 10th 2008 Tongue Piercing Risks

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

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Aug 9th 2008 Tongue Piercing Care

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

2 Comments » Posted by admin / How to Care for your Tongue Piercing and Tongue Piercing Home Page

Jul 30th 2008 Tongue Piercing Infections

Tongue piercing infections are quite common. The mouth contains a lot of bacteria, and it is warm and moist, making it a perfect breeding ground. An infection can be very dangerous, so it is important to know the warning signs, and to begin treating it immediately.

How do you know if you have an infected tongue piercing? The following are some possible signs:

  • Redness around the piercing, which is one of the first warnings signs of an infection.
  • Swelling of the tongue.
  • Any kind of pain.
  • Red streaks, which often mean a fairly bad infection, so you should go to a doctor to have it checked.
  • Green o yellowish liquid/pus originating around the piercing. This is another sign that means an infection has advanced significantly.
  • Random bleeding. Even if it´s just a little, it could mean you have an infection.

If you notice any of these signs, you most likely have an infected tongue piercing and you need to begin treating it right away!! Here are a few suggestions of what you can do, which are very similar to the tongue piercing aftercare you had to do when you first got a piercing:

  • Suck on ice cubes, or rinse your mouth with some ice cold water to help decrease the swelling.
  • Rinse your mouth with a non-alcoholic mouthwash that has been diluted with water. Do this each time after you eat. You can also remove your tongue ring (if you’ve had it more than two weeks) and rinse while it is out of your mouth. Be sure your hands have been washed.
  • Rinsing with warm water and sea salt is another option that will help decrease the inflammation and kill the bacteria.
  • Remember not to drink alcohol, eat spicy foods, or smoke (which is one of the worst things you can do). Also, refrain from kissing and oral sex, or anything else that may introduce new bacteria into your mouth.

**The most important thing to remember**
If you have a tongue piercing infection that does not start improving after treatment, go see a doctor. They can check the infection to see how bad it is, and provide you with antibiotics if need be.

More tongue piercing information:

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

No Comments » Posted by admin / Tongue Piercing Home Page