If you get a tongue piercing, you need to take good care of it. Tongue piercings can easily become infected if not treated properly. Follow this easy guide to cleaning and caring for your tongue piercing and it will heal in no time!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Piercing
Step 1. Ask permission
If you are under 18, make sure you get permission from your parent or guardian before getting the piercing. You need to get approved so you don't waste time getting the piercings you'll eventually have to get rid of.
Step 2. Do your research
Find a reputable piercer at a reputable tattoo or piercing shop. Read customer reviews online for information on the reputation of the piercer, and make sure the piercer has completed an internship with a reputable piercer.
Step 3. Check the piercing
The tattoo or piercing site must be sterile and clean. If you go to that place and it doesn't look clean, don't get your piercing there.
Step 4. Make sure the equipment used is sterile
When you make your piercing, make sure the piercer opens a package of unused, sterile needles for your piercing. This is very important to do to prevent the spread of infection and disease.
Step 5. Be prepared to feel a little pain
The piercing itself will be a bit painful. Early healing and the presence of swelling is the worst part.
Step 6. Don't be surprised
For the actual piercing, the piercer will take the clamp and place it on your tongue to keep the tongue in place. This can protect you from jerking when the piercing occurs.
Part 2 of 4: Surviving the Early Healing Period
Step 1. Know what will happen
Other symptoms will appear 3-5 days after getting the piercing. Be prepared for swelling, light bleeding, bruising and sensitivity to pain, especially during the initial period.
Step 2. Use ice cubes to relieve swelling
Drink ice water and let the pieces of ice melt in your mouth to relieve swelling. Make sure the pieces of ice are "small" enough so you don't freeze your mouth.
Don't swallow the ice; let it melt in your mouth
Step 3. Avoid activities/objects that may injure you
Avoid smoking, alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, oral sexual contact (including French kisses), chewing gum, and playing with jewelry during the early weeks of healing.
Step 4. Avoid eating spicy, hot, salty and sour foods for a while
These foods can cause a stinging and burning sensation in and around the piercing area.
Step 5. Be prepared for dirt
Even if you have followed these steps and followed the care sheet after the piercing, there is still a chance that white discharge will come out of the piercing hole. This is normal and not an infection. Just make sure it's not pus.
Part 3 of 4: Cleaning Properly
Step 1. Clean your mouth
After you get your piercing, use an alcohol-free (and fluorine) mouthwash 4-5 times daily for 60 seconds, including after meals and before bed.
Step 2. Clean the piercing
To clean the outside of your piercing, apply sea salt to the piercing up to 2 times a day and wash with a mild antimicrobial soap twice a day.
Step 3. Wash your hands
Make sure you always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning or touching your piercing or jewelry. Never touch your piercing unless you are cleaning it.
Step 4. Dry the piercing properly
Dry your piercing after cleaning with a paper towel or napkin instead of a bath towel or cloth. Towels can contain bacteria and germs, so we recommend using disposable paper products.
Part 4 of 4: Wearing the Right Jewelry
Step 1. Check the ball regularly
Usually the ball of the piercing on the tongue can open and loosen from time to time. It is important that you check regularly to see if the ball is tight. Use one hand to hold the bottom of the ball in place and use the other hand to secure the top.
Note: remember to rotate right to tighten and left to loosen
Step 2. Replace your jewelry once the initial swelling has disappeared
Be aware that the original piece of jewelery should be replaced with a shorter piece of jewelery once the swelling has reduced. See your piercer for this replacement, as it usually occurs during the healing period.
Step 3. Choose a style that suits you
If you've gone through the initial healing process, you can choose from many styles of jewelry for your tongue piercing. Be careful if you have allergies to metals or sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Tips
- A cold drink will help relieve swelling during healing.
- Have water with sea salt in a bottle at all times if you have a busy schedule
- Keep your head elevated while sleeping to reduce puffiness throughout the night.
- Never remove jewelry while healing.
- Eat soft foods so you don't hurt your piercing when you chew, or if you don't want your piercing to bother you while eating.
- Take Tylenol, Benadryl, or Advil to help reduce swelling and pain.
- Use ibuprofen for pain relief.
- Sleep with your head higher than your body to reduce swelling.
- Don't play with your piercing as it will slow down the healing process.
- Take Midol to reduce pain and swelling.
Warning
- Remember to keep your piercing for at least 2 weeks before changing your jewelry so that it doesn't close. The piercing will close in less than 30 minutes if you remove it too soon.
- Don't gargle with salt water a lot. This will injure your newly pierced tongue and cause a burning sensation.
- If the swelling persists for up to a month after getting the piercing, see a doctor. Swelling should last 2 to 6 days.
