I'm thinking about getting my TONGUE PIERCED?

Question

I am almost 18, and I am seriously thinking about getting my tongue pierced. I am in basketball season right now, so I have a few concerns as to how long my tongue will be swollen (will it cause breathing problems?) and does it somehow make you more susceptible to illness at all? (I thought maybe with the gaping hole.. haha). If anyone has past experience with this, and could tell me what they thought of theirs, risks to be aware of, and any problems that it caused for them that would be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

I've had my tongue pierced for over 7 years now and I have had no problems what-so-ever and I don't plan on giving up my piercing any time soon.

When I first had it done I was swollen for a good week and lived off of liquids. Ice cream, popsicles, ice chips are your best friends! The swelling is different for everyone. Some are only swollen for a couple days, others like me, a bit longer.

It's the swelling the affects your speech, not the piercing itself. You will not talk funny once the swelling goes down. I talk just as normally now as I did before the piercing. The swelling is also not that bad that it will affect your breathing. I mean, it will not cause your tongue to swell up like a balloon.

Like I said, I have had no problems. I did not get sick from it however there have been cases of tongue piercings causing serious health problems. This doesn't happen to everyone, actually very few people have had anything serious happen from their piercing but I would google it so you are aware of the potential risks.

I went to a reputable piercer and followed all the after care instructions to a 't'. Do not however use listerine or any kind of mouth wash. Listerine especially contains alcohol which is too harsh for any piercing and only prolongs the healing. Instead, use a sea salt solution. Dillute 1/4 teaspoon sea salt in 8 ounces of water. Rinse for about 15-20 seconds after every meal, drinking anything but water, smoking, putting any foreign object (fingers, pens etc) in your mouth. Do this for 3-6 weeks. You also want to be careful that you do not over clean your piercing. Signs of this is a very white or yellow looking tongue.

Another thing to be aware of is the initial piece of jewelry used during the healing period is much larger than you would normally use. This is to accommodate the swelling. This makes it very easy to accidently "chomp" down on it and chip a tooth. There are more dental problems associated with tongue piercings than anything. This is due to incorrect jewelry size. When you are able to downsize the jewelry, usually 6-8 weeks, you shouldn't have any problems with this.

You may need to try a variety of different post lengths to find the one that's best for you. Once you find the correct length you can use the steel balls but acrylic is much easier on the teeth if you do happen to accidentaly bite down on it.

One more thing. Regularly check that the beads are on tight! I have swallowed a couple beads before.

Answer 2

I am 18 and I would never want to pierce my tongue. There are many dangers to go along with any piercing, but there are many that can come up after piercing your tongue. I did a search on the dangers on tongue piercing. This article is from USA Today.

Of course if you are waiting until your 18, you won't have to have your parents permission to get it done, so then it would be entirely up to you. I really hope for the safety of your health you don't go through with it.

Answer 3

well i dont have a tongue piercings. but i know pwople who have them. what i suggest first is to wait till basketball is over FOR GOOD! nothing worse then gettign hit in the mouth and biting down ont he jewelry, injurign the piercings and chipping your teeth. you will need to have the right anatomy first to get it [ierced (your toungue web is not too long) so its best to be evaluated buy the professional who will pierce you. from what ive heard your tongue will be swollen for the first week or so. and you will need to re adjust to talking and eating again, (not to bute down on the jewelry) you will alsways need to clean it. the piercer will put you on a cleanign regime but whatever you do DO NOT EVER USE LISTERINE no matter what they tell you, it contains alcohol and alcohol is very bad for piercings. also after a few weeks (talk to your piercer about downsizing) you wil need to have your jewelry downsized (smaller jewelry put in since the swelling had gone down) they usually put in larger jewelry to accomidate the swelling. it is very important to have it downsized! if you do not downsize it you will have an increased risk of chipping you teeth!! . good luck

here is a link to help you
http://wiki.bmezine.com/index.php/Tongue_Piercing
i have read all of this onlnie too on the site i gave you!


sine the tongue is located near those 2 latge viens it is possible for an infection to travel through your body and actually give you a heart infection and cause death! thats a fact. read it in the newspaper. it is rare but this is why you should always take care of it, but dont use listerine! =)

Answer 4

You can do what you want, but I wouldn't advise it. People who do that usually end up with some type of freakish infection, and you'll have to eat soup all the time for about 2 months. It'll be incredibly painful as well. Don't do it during your basketball season, you might get sick and ruin the whole season.

Answer 5

my cousin and her husband have theirs done and both of their tongues got veryy swollen. good luck

Answer 6

my brother did that and he got really sick,people die from it ,if i were u i wouldnt pierce it.

Answer 7

DON'T. HAVE YOU LISTENED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIRS DONE. THEY DON'T SOUND NATURAL.