A variation of the piercing is the tongue piercing. For this the tongue is pierced completely. There are different types of tongue piercings, they differ from each other in size, shape, stitching and material. Before piercing you should be well informed about the procedure, the following healing phase, care and possible risks. So painful and possibly lasting complications can be avoided if necessary.
The stitching process
The stitching process should be performed in a sitting position. This can prevent a fainting spell due to circulatory collapse. Furthermore the piercer has so an optimal working condition.
Before the piercing the desired place is marked and the tongue is fixed. The whole working step should take place under sterile conditions to avoid infections. Persons, who want to be pierced, must not be under any anticoagulant therapy (blood thinners like: Marcumar ®, ASS, Heparin), otherwise dangerous bleedings are threatening.
Most often the middle of the tongue is pierced vertically, here the risk of damage to the taste buds is the lowest, since very few nerves are involved. In addition, none of the tongue muscles are punctured, because they also run along the side of the middle line. Furthermore, when piercing a tongue piercing, care must be taken to protect the frenulum of the tongue, which attaches the underside of the tongue to the lower jaw.
It is also possible to pierce the tongue laterally, at the tip, or horizontally. In this case, attention must be paid to much more sensitive structures, such as blood vessels, muscles and nerves. Therefore such a piercing procedure should only be done by a very experienced piercer.
Because of the initial swelling, which enlarges the tongue, first an overlong pin (barbell) is inserted and a plastic closure head is screwed on to avoid bruising. This minimizes pain and the risk of tooth damage. The pain when pricking varies from person to person, but is usually limited.
Healing and care of the tongue piercing
The healing process is very different, but in general one can expect a healing time of three to six weeks. As soon as the tongue is swollen, a shorter pin should be inserted, so the piercing is less mobile and the teeth are less damaged. Because during piercing the tongue is pierced and so the barrier between body and environment is opened, it is important to follow some rules especially in the healing phase to prevent infections and not to hinder the healing.
Acidic food, such as fruit juices, too hot, too cold or spicy food should be avoided, because otherwise the wound surface is irritated and thus the healing is slowed down. As a result, scarring may occur. Alcohol and nicotine consumption in particular should be avoided.
Dairy products naturally contain bacteria. These actually do not represent a danger for the human body. During the healing process, however, it is recommended to avoid them, as bacteria can easily penetrate the body through the wound surface.
Due to the stinging, the tongue is very sensitive during the healing process and it is recommended to change to liquid or mushy food during this time. After each meal it is advisable to rinse the mouth thoroughly. As long as the sting is not healed, contact with body fluids, especially oral intercourse, is not recommended.
If the swelling of the tongue is too severe, you can try to help yourself with ice cubes or calming teas such as chamomile. To prevent infections, you can use mouthwashes containing phenoxyethanol or polyhexanide. The piercing should be removed and cleaned and disinfected two to three times a day – especially in the beginning.
