Q&A

Does a pierced tongue heal?

Does a pierced tongue heal?

Healing usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. During that time, you should: Rinse your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed. Use warm salt water or an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash.

Why is my tongue white after piercing?

Do tongue piercings cause white tongue? If you (or your teenager) have just had a tongue piercing, you might see a white coating on your tongue. It’s normal bacterial growth that you can reduce with antifungal mouthwash, like Nystatin (like Nystop®).

Can you lose feeling in your tongue after piercing?

After a piercing, you may experience a numb tongue that is caused by nerve damage that is usually temporary, but can sometimes be permanent. The injured nerve may affect your sense of taste, or how you move your mouth.

How long will my tongue be swollen after piercing?

Tongue swelling usually lasts three to five days but can reduce that by drinking cold liquids. Remember that your metal piercing is a conductor and will amplify the chilling effects of cold substances or the warming effects of high-temperature foods and beverages. So be careful not to overdo it.

Can I remove my tongue piercing after 3 days?

You shouldn’t remove the jewelry during this time. Doing so will trap infectious bacteria inside your tongue and may lead to further complications. If you decide that you want to let the piercing close up — or you just want to switch the jewelry — you should wait until the infection has completely cleared.

What can go wrong during a tongue piercing?

The American Dental Association recommends against tongue piercing. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the ADA recommends against tongue piercing because of risks including “swelling, bleeding, infection, chipped or damaged teeth, gingivial recession, lacerations/scarring, hypersalivation, etc.”

What helps tongue ring heal faster?

Some other strategies that can speed healing include:

  • brushing the teeth regularly to keep the mouth clean.
  • rinsing the piercing after each meal.
  • not smoking.
  • minimizing talking during the first few days.
  • not playing with or touching the piercing.

Are tongue piercings painful?

Yes, tongue piercings do hurt because this sensory organ contains nerve endings, muscles, and blood vessels. However, most people say it does not hurt as much as others imagine it to be. Many people who have undergone tongue piercings report less pain than ear piercing. Different people react to pain in different ways.

How do you sleep with a tongue piercing?

Try to sleep with your head propped up on pillows during the first few nights of healing; keeping your head above your heart will help to avoid much initial overnight swelling. An over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.)

Can getting your tongue pierced kill you?

Yes tongue piercing can kill you. However the reason is not the blue vein. It is actually that if there is an infection, it can get worse and the person can die. The major blood vessels pass from the tongue and can pass the infection to the brain which can be deadly.

How bad does your tongue swell after a piercing?

The worst swelling will be from 2-5 days after the piercing, during which time your tongue will be very uncoordinated and you may find it very hard to talk. The more normally you eat, drink and talk, the quicker your tongue will heal. Ice, ice blocks, ice cream, the more ice you do over the first few days the quicker your tongue heals.

What is the healing process for tongue piercings?

The tongue piercing healing process involves the initial swelling, tongue irritation, and soreness. After the piercing, the tongue begins to swell and commonly reaches double its original size. The swelling should subside within a couple days, but eating, drinking and speaking are generally painful during this time.

How do you take care of a tongue piercing?

Cleaning Tongue Piercing. One of the ways how to care for tongue piercing is by cleaning it. Cleaning tongue piercing is very crucial to prevent infection. To clean the tongue piercing, you may use antibacterial or antimicrobial alcohol-free mouth rinses. Besides that, you can also consider sterile saline solution.