Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Getting the piercing
• Part 2 of 4: Surviving the healing period
• Part 3 of 4: Keeping your piercing clean
• Part 4 of 4: Wearing the right piece of jewelry
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have a tongue piercing, it is crucial that you take good care of it. Tongue piercings quickly become infected with poor care. To avoid this, follow these steps and keep your piercing healthy!

To step

Part 1 of 4: Getting the piercing

1. Ask for permission. If you are younger than 18, you need permission from your parents to have the piercing done. After all, you don't want to have a hole in your tongue and then have to take the piercing out right away.
2. Do the necessary preliminary research. Go to a piercer with an immaculate reputation in a good shop. Read online reviews to find out how the piercer works and check that the piercer is working carefully.
3. Visit the shop. It is crucial that a piercing / tattoo shop is sterile and clean. If you notice that this is not the case, it is best not to get a piercing here.
4. Verify that sterile materials are used. Make sure the piercer opens a new pack of unused sterile needles to place your piercing. This is crucial to prevent the spread of infections and diseases.
5. Expect some pain. The piercing itself is not too painful. However, the healing period and the swelling that occurs afterwards can be annoying.
6. Don't be surprised. To pierce you, the piercer will use a clamp to hold your tongue in place. This prevents the piercer from slipping out if you move unexpectedly.

Part 2 of 4: Surviving the healing period

1. Know what to expect. The first 3 to 5 days after getting the piercing, most symptoms will occur and you can expect some pain. Your tongue will swell up, bleed a little and it is very sensitive.
2. Use pieces of ice to reduce swelling. Drink lots of ice-cold water and let pieces of ice melt in your mouth to reduce the swelling. Do not use large ice cubes; you just need to cool your tongue and not your whole mouth.
   • Don't suck on the ice, let it melt against your tongue.
3. Avoid objects and activities that could damage the wound. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, limit your caffeine intake, do not engage in oral sex (including French kissing), do not chew gum, or play with your piercing for the first week.
4. Avoid eating spicy, hot, salty or sour food for the first few weeks. This can sting and burn quite a bit.
5. Expect some exudate. Even if you take optimal care of the piercing and do exactly what the piercer has advised you, it is normal for some whitish fluid to run out of the wound. This is not a sign that the wound is infected, but a normal reaction of your body. Make sure that the moisture is not pus.

Part 3 of 4: Keeping your piercing clean

1. Rinse your mouth regularly. Use non-alcoholic mouthwash 4 to 5 times a day after piercing. Rinse for about 60 seconds, including after meals and before going to bed.
2. Clean the piercing. To clean the outside of your piercing, it is best to dab some sea salt on the jewelry 2-3 times a day and wash it with antimicrobial soap.
3. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing. Only touch the piercing while cleaning and leave it alone.
4. Keep the piercing dry. After cleaning, dry the piercing with a paper towel or napkin. Avoid using a towel or washcloth; bacteria can hide here.

Part 4 of 4: Wearing the right piece of jewelry

1. Check the balls regularly. The balls of your tongue piercing can sometimes come loose. It is therefore important that you occasionally check that they are still properly secured. Use one hand to hold the bottom ball in place and the other to firmly tighten the top ball.
   • Note: Turn the ball to the right to tighten it and to the left to open it.
2. Replace the jewelry when the swelling is slightly less. The original piercing should be replaced with a shorter version. This is best done by your piercer, as this often has to be done during the healing period.
3. Choose a piercing that suits you. Once the healing period is over, you can choose a piece of jewelry that suits you. Make sure that you choose a type of metal that your skin responds well to.

Tips

• Cold drinks can reduce pain and swelling during the healing period.
• If you are on the road regularly, make sure you always have a bottle of salt water with you to rinse your mouth.
• Keep your head elevated while sleeping to reduce swelling at night.
• Never remove the jewelry during the healing period.
• Eat soft foods so that you don't irritate the piercing while you chew.
• Use ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling.
• Make sure your head is higher than the rest of your body when you sleep to reduce swelling.
• Don't play with the piercing; this will only prolong the healing period.

Warnings

• When making a saline solution, be careful not to add too much salt to the water. This can irritate the wound and also stings considerably.
• Wear the piercing for at least two weeks without interruption to keep the wound from closing. If you take the jewelry out too soon, the wound will be closed within 30 minutes.
• If your tongue is still swollen a month after the piercing, see your doctor. The swelling should go down after 2 to 6 days.