Should I get a tongue piercing?

Dear Readers, 

It's fun to add a little bling to your bite, but the process can seem intimidating. The good news is that a case of tongue paralysis from a tongue piercing hasn’t been documented. However, other complications like swelling, allergic reactions, and bleeding can arise. To help relieve some concerns about your piercing journey, read on for tips on finding a proper piercer, potential health risks, aftercare tips, and the effects of taking out piercing jewelry.  

Are there any tips on how to find a piercer? 

Before you take the plunge (or the poke), it’s worth checking if the studio you’re considering is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Studios associated with the APP are expected to meet high cleanliness standards and keep their trainees sharp. That said, even studios that aren’t with the APP should still follow the same practices. 

Keep in mind, however, piercing studio regulations may not be consistent, so it might be helpful to do your own check-in. Here are a few questions that you can ask the studio and yourself: 

• Is the piercer well-trained and do they have continuing education? 
• Is the studio tidy and well organized?  
• Are there clearly defined areas for different purposes—like a waiting room, a sterilization area, a piercing room, and a public bathroom?  
• Are the tools and jewelry in sealed sterilized packages or autoclave cassettes? (Soaking them in liquid doesn’t count). 
• Does the studio use a piercing gun? (Never go to a place that uses a piercing gun since they’re harder to clean, which increases the risk of infection). 
• Does the piercer allow customers to try jewelry on? (If they do, this means the jewelry isn’t properly stored, and this is a place to avoid). 
• Does the piercer answer all of your questions openly and clearly?  

List adapted from the Association of Professional Piercers 

What are the health risks of getting a tongue piercing? 

Some health risks might be associated with the type of jewelry you choose and deciding what kind of jewelry is best can be a bit of a tongue twister. More specifically, the type of metal jewelry is made from. It’s recommended to stick with stainless steel, titanium, or 14-karat gold. Other metals such as silver, bronze, and copper have a higher risk of leading to infections or allergic reactions.  

After all is pierced and done, following aftercare instructions from your piercer can help minimize risks during the healing period. That said, there may be some complications due to factors outside of your control. Some of these risks may include:  

• Persistent pain, bleeding, or swelling 
• Piercing rejection or allergic reactions 
• Trouble chewing, speaking, or swallowing 
• Damage to the teeth or mouth that can cause gum recessions, gum disease, or tooth fractures 
• Exposure to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or tetanus 
• Scar tissue or keloids 

It’s worth noting that every person reacts differently to piercings. Some people may experience complications while others may heal with no complications. Choosing a piercer who follows cleanliness standards, is well-trained, and uses proper piercing techniques may lower the chance of these risks.  

How can you take care of your piercing while it heals? 

Now that the tongue’s been tied with style, it’s healing time. Typically, healing takes about six to eight weeks. Here are a few things to keep in mind to take care of your piercing while it’s healing:  

• Follow specific aftercare instructions from your piercer 
• Stick to soft and bland foods 
• Rinse your tongue piercing after every meal and before bed  
• Use anti-bacterial, alcohol- and peroxide-free mouthwashes  
• Not kissing, sharing food, or sharing utensils with others 
• Schedule regular checkups with your dentist to check for further complications 

List adapted from WebMD and Healthline 

What happens if you decide to take out the jewelry? 

In general, removing the jewelry won’t leave a hole lot of trouble behind. The tongue is a pro at healing, so there’s usually minimal scarring after taking out jewelry. Some people may have a small bump, which is likely the scar tissue that formed as the piercing healed. Typically, the bump fades away over time.  

If you take out the jewelry while your piercing is still healing, the hole should close fairly quickly. However, it’s best to keep the jewelry in for the first eight weeks, so there’s less chance of infection and tearing. If you do happen to get an infection, it’s not recommended you remove the jewelry until the infection is treated—taking it out too soon can let more bacteria in and create further problems.  

If you notice any issues with your piercing, consider speaking with a health care provider for treatment and care. On top of that, speaking with a reliable piercer may help with other general piercing concerns you may have.   

Keep shining and stay sharp,