I got my tongue pierced and underneath. All about tongue piercing: pros and cons of piercing with photos, healing time and consequences of the procedure. Consequences of tongue piercing

Currently, piercing is widespread among young people - a specific decoration for various parts of the body. Moreover, it is believed that the most “advanced” part of young people must have such decoration on their tongue. This type of extreme impact on one’s own body often does not pass without a trace, so you need to know what tongue piercing is. The consequences of this barbaric intervention in the oral cavity can be quite serious and last a lifetime.

A tongue piercing is a vertical puncture in the tongue into which a barbell with two fastening attachments is inserted. There are many options for such decoration. Typically the bar is positioned horizontally. In some cases, tongue piercing is a ring on the tip of the tongue. There are also multiple punctures. Everything is done according to the client's wishes.

The motives for this method of changing one's appearance are well known. This is the desire to make a special impression on others, to stand out from the crowd, or to experience new sensations during sexual games. Also, some young people decide to have their tongue pierced in the hope of appearing like their idol. In general, the more the decoration differs from the usual one, the more “authoritative” the person is.

However, those wishing to undergo this dangerous procedure must be aware of the possible consequences that await them. Unfortunately, the majority of young people are guided not by common sense, but by momentary emotions.

Tongue piercing is performed without anesthesia, so it is a rather painful procedure. The risk of such intervention in the oral cavity is aggravated by the entry of pathogenic bacteria through the resulting open wound after the puncture. Doctors believe that such jewelry is a direct route of transmission of infectious diseases, ranging from the herpes simplex virus to hepatitis C and B. The resulting puncture wound creates a real threat of pathogenic microorganisms penetrating directly into the bloodstream. This can cause the development of inflammation of the tissues and heart valves - endocarditis.

Tongue piercing must be carried out by a person who has a thorough knowledge of medicine, since if the area of ​​the tongue is incorrectly chosen for the piercing, a nerve can be hit. This will lead to necrosis, loss of sensitivity, and impaired motor activity of the tongue. It often happens that the piercing tool gets into a blood vessel. The result is severe blood loss. Sometimes the tongue swells, severe swelling develops, the airways become blocked, thereby making breathing difficult.

You should think a hundred times before deciding on such a dubious decoration as a tongue piercing. The consequences of this procedure are not limited to the above complications. Individual fashionistas wearing barbells (jewelry with a long stem) are susceptible. Dubious jewelry comes into contact with the gums and damages them. In some cases, gum recession occurs, causing teeth to become loose and fall out. In addition, piercing enthusiasts often damage tooth enamel. A snow-white open smile and tongue piercing are absolutely incompatible things.

Most young people with similar decoration on the tongue experience increased salivation. Therefore, you should not communicate in close proximity with a person who has a tongue piercing. He will spit.

In addition to the listed consequences of tongue piercing, you should also think carefully about the advisability of carrying out this procedure for people who are predisposed to allergic reactions to metals. Of course, after the procedure of piercing the tongue, one should not be surprised at a slightly changed perception of taste sensations or a violation of diction.

The long process of healing the tongue will require endurance, patience, and overcoming serious discomfort. Relationships with parents, teachers, and other surrounding people may deteriorate. If you have a tongue piercing, you will have to carefully care for your oral cavity. You will need to regularly treat the wound with antiseptic solutions. At the slightest complication, you should consult a doctor.

Therefore, you should be aware of the consequences of this dubious appearance decoration and approach this procedure consciously. Take care of yourself!

Tongue piercings are one of the most popular types of piercings - they heal easily and are easy to hide. In general, this type of piercing is relatively painless, depending on your sensitivity. The level of pain varies from person to person.

How will you feel in the first days after your tongue piercing?

• Edema. Your tongue will swell for approximately 8-10 days after the initial piercing; The amount of swelling will depend on how far away the piercing is (the further away the piercing, the more swelling).
• Food and conversation. For the first few days, you will not be able to eat solid food or speak properly.
• Jewelry. The main requirement for jewelry that you will wear immediately after the piercing is hypoallergenic. The best option is titanium or medical steel. The most common barbells for piercing this part of the body. These are jewelry consisting of a metal rod, at the ends of which balls or flat round elements are twisted. During the healing period, it is recommended to wear a fairly long earring, as swelling may occur in the first days. It is important that the edges of the barbell do not constantly come into contact with the teeth.

What to Avoid While Your Tongue Heals

What to avoid:

• Hard, sour, sticky, spicy foods.
• Talk too much.
• Kissing and any other use of the mouth with girlfriends/friends
• Putting foreign objects in your mouth.
• Smoking (it’s better to abstain at first, and once the piercing heals, then quit smoking altogether)
• Experiment with tongue decoration (you will have plenty of time for this after healing)

The swelling should go down in a couple of weeks, but the healing period may take longer.

Once pierced, the tongue usually takes three to four weeks to completely heal. This is one of the fastest-healing piercings as the enzymes in saliva help fight infection and kill bacteria.

You will need to use a good non-alcoholic mouthwash to help clean your mouth, but be careful not to over-clean, which can cause your tongue to turn green or brown. If this happens, simply reduce the amount of mouthwash you use and how often you use it.

• Day 1-5: after the first day, you will experience bloating. This will be worse during the first five days, when your speech will be impaired and you may have to change your diet to mashed potatoes, noodles, and other soft foods. Drinking cold drinks helps. For faster healing, you should avoid drinking alcohol or hot drinks, smoking, kissing, fiddling with or even touching a barbell, and ibuprofen and aspirin (which can increase swelling—use Tylenol instead).

• Day 5-7: the tumor will begin to decrease. Some people recover faster than others.

• Day 7-10: the swelling should go down now. When this happens, you need to have the bar replaced with a shorter one. The day you can replace the long barbell with a shorter one will depend on the amount of swelling you experience.
• Day 10-28: it may take 3 to 4 weeks to heal completely.

When can I remove the jewelry from my tongue and for how long?

The answer to this question varies from person to person. Tongues heal quickly, and even if the piercing is technically healed, it will also heal and close if you leave the jewelry out for an extended period. Some piercings can heal closed almost immediately in a day or two, while others with established piercings say they can go without jewelry for up to three weeks, don't worry.

How to reduce healing time

• Keep the swelling down. Drink ice-cold drinks, preferably water.
• Keep it clean. This includes cleaning not only the piercing site, but the entire mouth. Brush at least twice a day. Rinse and rinse after every meal, after drinking anything other than water, when you first wake up, and before bed. Use an alcohol-free and fluoride-free antibacterial mouthwash or a glass of water with a teaspoon of sea salt (not iodized table salt!) dissolved in it.
• Wear the right jewelry. Make sure the dumbbells are tightly holding the bottom ball while you rotate the top ball clockwise. After the initial swelling reduces, your piercer will change the longer bar to a shorter one. After this, you don't want to change the decorations too often, which could irritate the site and prolong the healing. Titanium is the least likely material to trigger an allergic reaction.
• Avoid irritants. Don't put your fingers in your mouth. Do not touch, poke, or handle jewelry. If you talk or chew a lot, rinse your mouth afterwards. Do not drink alcohol, smoke, kiss or expose your mouth to anything other than food, drinks, mouthwash, toothpaste, salt and water.
• Watch for signs of infection. Of course, infection delays healing, so if you experience swelling, redness, angry-red streaks, change in color or discharge, consult your doctor right away.

Signs of infection

While you are healing, you may have the following questions, but don't worry as they will stop once the piercing is completely healed:

• You will have excess saliva, which will cause you to swallow more.
• The taste buds on the tip of your tongue may be tender, and you may experience a tingling or burning sensation.
• You may experience tenderness on the top of your tongue, where the ball makes a depression, and on the bottom of the strap.
• You may notice white fluid being released into the wound where the piercing is healing as dead white blood cells leave your body. Usually, dead blood cells form a scab, but saliva in the mouth will not allow the scab to form.

These warning signs of infection (check with your doctor):

• Edema. Swelling is normal, especially in the first five days, but if it seems excessive, gets worse, or interferes with speaking or swallowing, seek treatment.
• Redness or red streaks. Especially if it is accompanied by swelling, pain or fever, it can be a sign of inflammation and infection.
• Bleeding. If it seems excessive or won't stop.
• Discoloration and discharge. If your tongue looks greenish, purple, yellow, or black, or if you notice any pus or discharge from the piercing, these are signs of infection.

Okay, but how long until it's completely healed?

Heal time varies, but usually takes about 3-4 weeks.

Frequently asked questions about the tongue healing process: How long will it take for the tongue to stop hurting?

As a rule, pain accompanies swelling, since as soon as the swelling subsides, the pain should subside.

How long will the swelling last?

For most people, swelling may last a couple of days or up to two weeks.

What signs of infection should I look for?

severe swelling, pain, or bleeding that does not improve after a couple of weeks; red streaks or discoloration on the tongue; discharge or pus.

How long until I can't take the jewelry out for an hour or more?

After a month of healing, you probably won't be healed enough to start experimenting with jewelry, but remember that after healing is time dependent, you'll need to experiment carefully to know how long you can go without any jewelry at all.

Today you won't surprise anyone with piercings. It has become so fashionable that, for example, not only young people, but also older people began to pierce their tongues. Although this type of piercing is not always noticeable to others, it is in second place in popularity after

Even the ancients practiced this procedure before the ritual of sacrifice to the gods. In addition, the tongue was also pierced. Local shamans, performing the ritual, claimed that such manipulation helps rid the human soul of evil forces and cleanse it. Later, mouth piercing became simply an aesthetic decoration or a way to stand out from other people.

Does it hurt or not?

People from the timid ten decide to get a puncture right away. Others doubt it for one reason: does it hurt to pierce the tongue? The process itself is practically painless because anesthetics are used. As a rule, after 2 hours, when the analgesic effect wears off, pain appears at the puncture site, interfering with eating, especially if you need to chew something thoroughly.

Dangerous or not

If you go to a professional, there is little to no risk associated with this type of piercing. In other situations, for example, if you pierce your tongue at home, the consequences can be dire: infection, inflammation, etc. This often occurs due to dishonesty in the sterilization of instruments, poor hand hygiene, and manipulations without gloves.

Before you decide to pierce your tongue, find out more information about this piercing from various sources. Weigh the pros and cons.

The piercing is done on the tip of the tongue in its center. The sides should not be pierced, since arteries are located here, and if damaged, serious bleeding can begin.

If the puncture is not made in the center, the wound may take several weeks to heal. There is also a possibility that the jewelry will not take root at all and will be rejected by the body. During piercing, a rigid or flexible rod is used. The latter is more practical when worn and causes minimal discomfort. To fix the tongue, use a special clamp and mark the place where the hole will be made. The master makes the puncture with a special sterile instrument. Then a long rod is inserted. This is necessary for convenience, since in the first days the tongue will be swollen. Then the rod is replaced with a smaller size.

Piercing at home

If you decide that you can handle all the manipulations yourself, you need to prepare in advance and learn how to properly pierce your tongue at home:

• Sterilize your instruments well and wear gloves.
• Pierce the tongue, insert the barbell with a needle and remove the needle.
• Screw the second ball onto the other end of the rod.
• Re-treat with antiseptic.

Proper care

1. After the procedure, you should not smoke, drink alcohol, or eat food for several hours.
2. You should rinse your mouth with special disinfectants several times a day.
3. While the healing process is taking place, you should eat only soft foods. It is contraindicated to drink coffee and juices with dyes, eat spicy, salty foods, as well as citrus fruits. As for alcohol, it is strictly contraindicated, since its consumption destroys the protective film and dissolves the resulting tissue.
4. At first you will have to refrain from kissing.

It's up to you to decide whether to pierce your tongue or not. In any case, if the entire puncture procedure is done correctly, it will not cause any harm, and if desired, you can always remove the jewelry. The pierced area will heal very quickly.

In ancient times, in many tribes, men pierced their tongues. This ritual allowed one to prove bravery and courage. Today, tongue piercings can be found on both boys and girls. Even adults take this step. What makes people get their tongues pierced? Why are they doing that? What does a pierced tongue mean? Are there any contraindications for this procedure? Before you go to the salon or get your tongue pierced at home, it is recommended that you carefully study the pros and cons of piercing, as well as find answers to the above questions.

Why do girls get their tongues pierced?

The reasons that may make a person want to pierce their tongue can be different.

1. First of all, this procedure is done by supporters of various musical styles and subcultures. A pierced tongue in this case indicates that a person belongs to the tovq? Or another direction of culture.
2. Secondly, many people decide to get a tongue piercing in response to a specific life situation. A quarrel with parents, separation from a loved one, etc. This act will allow you to erase what happened, cause a new emotional wave and help you tune in to a new mood.
3. Thirdly, the decision to pierce the tongue is made by people who want new sexual sensations.

It is worth noting that this type of piercing has the least number of contraindications and painful sensations. However, the healing process is quite complex and painful. That is why the choice of a salon and a specialist who will give the injection must be approached carefully.

There is no need to trust your health to girlfriends and friends when choosing piercing at home. Any puncture carries a risk of infection. The specialist must have experience and relevant knowledge. Study the reviews, check the availability of certificates for this type.

In his work, the master must use disposable tools: syringe, needle, gloves, etc. The choice of jewelry should also be taken seriously, giving preference to accessories made from non-oxidizing materials. This could be medical steel or titanium.

The procedure has a number of contraindications. Allergy to metals, poor blood clotting, diabetes mellitus - all this makes piercing the tongue impossible. It is dangerous to pierce people who are currently suffering from a cold or infectious disease. It is recommended to eat well before the puncture, as it will be impossible to do so afterwards. In addition, alcohol will have to be eliminated in the next 24 hours.

Is it worth getting your tongue pierced: pros and cons

Tongue piercings have their pros and cons. The advantages of this procedure include:

• Simplicity and low pain during the procedure, since the needle is inserted between the muscle fibers, which does not cause pain;
• Minimal risk of wound infection due to the antimicrobial effect of saliva;
• Unusual sensations during kissing and sexual intercourse.

This type of piercing is considered the sexiest. At the same time, connoisseurs of extreme sports and thrills may refuse to have their tongue pierced, taking into account the following: minuses:

• The puncture site takes a long and painful time to heal. After the procedure, the tongue will become very swollen and will hurt for several days;
• There is a risk of infection. If this happens, the consequences will be very severe;
• Decoration on the tongue can damage and worsen the condition of tooth enamel;
• The sense of taste may be impaired. Disturbances in the pronunciation of sounds and speech may also occur.

For those who are still in doubt about whether or not to do a piercing, there is one more fact. Due to the puncture, the tongue will hurt for a long time, which will not allow you to fully eat. This will help those who want to lose weight lose extra pounds and get their figure in order.

Some discomfort and the possibility of inflammation also occur when the earlobes are pierced; you can read about this in our other article. after a puncture and festers when wearing earrings.

How to properly care for your piercing

Tongue piercing requires proper care. For the first few days, it is recommended to rinse your mouth at least five times a day with a solution that does not contain fluoride and alcohol. Rinse time is one minute. Before going to bed and after eating, this procedure must be carried out.

The piercing itself also requires care. Clean the outer surface of the piercing two to three times a day with sea salt and antimicrobial soap. Touching a puncture unnecessarily is dangerous. Touch the piercing only with washed hands and as needed. After treatment, the area must be dried. For this purpose, disposable towels and napkins are used. Terry towels and other fabrics should not be used, as they may contain bacteria and cause wound infection.

Answers to frequently asked questions

The frenulum and its piercing raise many questions. It is best to initially understand the technology of the procedure, so as not to regret it later. Once again it is worth emphasizing the importance of choosing a good salon and a competent specialist.

Does it hurt?

Puncture of the tongue, when performed correctly, does not cause pain, since the needle enters between the muscle fibers. However, after the piercing you will have to be patient, as the puncture site will hurt and swell. The soreness persists for several days and goes away as the tongue heals.

What to do if your tongue is swollen and festering?

As a rule, complications after piercing in the form of swelling and pus occur in two cases: improper care and poor-quality jewelry. In this case, it is recommended to remove the earring and apply Vishnevsky ointment to the puncture for 20 minutes. After this, the puncture site is washed with antimicrobial soap. The jewelry itself is washed with Miramistin and inserted back.

How to pierce your tongue at home

The issue of tongue piercing at home raises a lot of conversations and debates. Some say that the procedure is quite simple and does not require the appropriate skills and knowledge. Others note that it is difficult to minimize possible risks at home.

As a rule, children and teenagers are not afraid to risk their health, for whom piercing becomes an opportunity to show their “I”. To perform a puncture at home, you must use only sterile disposable instruments. The rod must first be treated with alcohol solutions. In addition, a sufficient number of cotton swabs is necessary to stop the bleeding.

Video: how tongue piercing is done in the salon

This video shows how professionals perform a tongue piercing within a few minutes. Here you can see how the preparatory stage for the procedure is carried out, the place for the puncture is selected, the needle is inserted and the earring is inserted.

A popular option for self-expression among modern youth (and not only!) is tongue piercing. Despite the fact that with this procedure healing occurs relatively quickly, it leads among other similar manipulations in the number of complications. Therefore, it is very important to contact only specialized centers with professionals licensed for this type of medical intervention.

Where and how to pierce the tongue

Tongue punctures are accompanied by complications in almost 50% of cases. Moreover, half of those who consult a doctor with this problem require medical procedures such as rinsing, injections, and surgical treatment.

Risks can be minimized by taking the choice of a specialist seriously and taking adequate care of the puncture site.

A doctor specializing in piercing conducts a preliminary thorough examination and interview of the client, identifies the presence of contraindications, warns of possible problems, and gives detailed recommendations.

To ensure that tongue piercing brings minimal inconvenience, you must:

• carefully observe the rules of asepsis when preparing and performing the procedure;
• use exclusively disposable instruments;
• correctly select the jewelry material that eliminates an allergic reaction in a particular client;
• carefully monitor oral hygiene after the intervention.

Contraindications for piercing

The procedure is not allowed:

• persons under 18 years of age, without the permission of parents or guardians;
• in the presence of infectious processes in the oral cavity;
• patients with mental and neurological disorders, epilepsy;
• persons under the influence of alcohol/drugs;
• in case of disruption of blood clotting processes;
• during fever;
• with exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• with decompensated form of diabetes;
• if you are allergic to anesthetics (lidocaine group drugs) and/or to the material of jewelry.

A temporary violation of diction can negatively affect the performance of professional duties for certain categories of clients (speakers, TV show hosts, lecturers, etc.).

Do you know what health consequences it poses after even a short period of time? Read about it in this article.

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Possible negative consequences

The main reasons for the development of complications are:

• introduction of infection into the wound surface (due to insufficient sterility of instruments/non-compliance with hygiene rules) or opportunistic microflora of the client’s own oral cavity;
• allergic reactions;
• mechanical effects of jewelry;
• individual anatomical features of the client.

Some complications, such as impaired diction, create temporary discomfort, while others create a real threat to life.

Appearance of pain

Tongue piercing is performed under local anesthesia, but after the drug wears off, the pain returns.

There is a widely known case of painful shock in one young girl who performed the procedure on her own.

Opening of bleeding

A little bleeding when the tongue is pierced is a normal reaction.

If the problem persists for a long time and/or is significant, it can lead to serious blood loss.

This is especially often observed in cases of disorders in the area of ​​the blood clotting system.

The occurrence of edema

Slight swelling, present for a short time and tending to decrease, is a normal reaction to the intervention.

Increasing or long-term swelling is a sign of pathology. IN severe cases a tongue that sharply increases in size can block the access of air to the respiratory tract and lead to death.

All the nuances associated with are described in the article below the link.

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On the page: it is written about the LD inhaler, which is often used for stomatitis and throat diseases.

Typically this problem is manifestation of an allergic reaction.written about

Infectious processes

Penetration of pathogenic organisms into the wound surface can have both local, easily controlled with adequately initiated therapy, and serious consequences.

In the first cases, the doctor (dentist, ENT or surgeon) prescribes rinsing or washing with antiseptic solutions. With the development of phlegmon of the tongue, surgical treatment is indicated.

In the second case, we are talking about diseases such as HIV infection, hepatitis C, etc. There is also a known episode of a brain infection with a fatal outcome in a 22-year-old British man after a tongue piercing.

In a young man, an infection from the puncture area traveled through the bloodstream to the brain; due to the objective difficulties of treatment, the patient could not be saved.

A special form of complication of lingual piercing is Ludwig's angina - extensive inflammation of the soft tissues and surrounding areas of the oral cavity.
The disease is quite difficult to treat with antibiotic therapy. and often requires surgery.

Coated tongue

A white or yellowish voluminous coating on the tongue may be a sign of insufficient oral hygiene after the procedure.

Black plaque sometimes forms when using antiseptic solutions (for example, chlorhexidine bigluconate).

In the latter situation, the problem resolves on its own after completing the preventive or therapeutic course.

Dental problems

Dentists speak especially negatively about tongue piercing. Mechanical friction of the edge of the teeth against the jewelry leads to its thinning, loss of evenness and destruction.

Also noted:

Persons with tongue piercings are required to regularly visit the dentist for timely detection and treatment of emerging pathologies.

Nerve damage

Nerve damage can result in numbness, loss of sensation, or paralysis of the tongue or part of the face.

Speech and swallowing disorders

At first, changes in pronunciation and difficulties with eating are observed. Typically, the problem resolves on its own over time.

Hypersalivation

Often, after a tongue piercing, profuse salivation develops, which creates some discomfort.

If the problem persists for a long time, you should visit a doctor.

Changes in taste sensitivity, dry mouth

They can be either temporary or permanent.

Swallowing/inhaling jewelry

If the decoration is not securely secured, ingestion or inhalation of decoration elements may occur. In the latter case, you should urgently contact an ambulance.

Tissue proliferation

If the length of the decoration is inadequate, compression of the tissues is possible, causing them to grow to the sides. Treatment is surgical.

Galvanic effect

Metal jewelry can interact with the material of dental restorations.

This is accompanied by the occurrence of galvanic currents, causing acute pain when metal surfaces come into contact.

Bad breath

Difficulties with thorough oral hygiene with a pierced tongue contribute to the accumulation of bacterial deposits, which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.

Difficulties with radiographic examinations

X-rays of the oral cavity will require removal of metal jewelry from the tongue. Otherwise, the research results will be distorted.

Medications for post-piercing care

After tongue piercing, it is recommended to rinse the oral cavity with a solution of chlorhexidine digluconate (estimated cost - 6 - 404 rubles), rinsing with a solution of table salt, and for the first two days - sucking on ice cubes are useful to alleviate the condition.

Tongue piercing, despite its visual attractiveness, turns out to be a rather unsafe procedure.

Such a surgical intervention has a lot of complications, to reduce the risk of which it is important to carry out the procedure by qualified specialists with special medical training.

The story of a girl who personally experienced all the delights of having her tongue pierced. Pay attention to her diction while watching the video we offer.