As a fashion trend, tongue piercing is very popular. There are many reasons. It can be done for spiritual or religious reasons and to gain acceptance within a certain social group. Many people report feeling more confident after having their tongues pierced.
Yes, it hurts because the tongue contains nerve endings, muscles and blood vessels. Most people find it doesn’t hurt as much as they think. People who have had their tongue pierced report less pain than ear piercings. Some people compare the pain with taking vaccination injections. However, the pain is less than that felt when blood is withdrawn from the veins to perform a blood test. Some say it hurts very much, while others claim it isn’t that bad. Individuals have different pain tolerances. Different people respond to pain differently. The professional who does the piercing will take care to avoid the veins on the tongue.
The procedure does not include any numbing medication. It is possible to feel some discomfort during the procedure. It is usually manageable and lasts for no more than one week. It takes about a week for the swelling to go down. The pain disappears after a week. The pain can be relieved by sucking on ice cubes.
Is there any risk in tongue piercing?
Due to the possible complications, doctors advise against tongue piercing. People who have had tongue piercing reported adverse reactions such as:
- Cold Sensitivity at the lower first Molar Tees
- Trauma To The Teeth due to
- Tongue jewelry
- Habitual chewing or biting the jewelry
- Barbell stem length (a type of tongue jewelry that is similar to the barbells found in the gym)
- The ornament attached to the barbell is the size.
- Type of material
- Fracture for some pointed parts (or cusps?) of teeth
- Irritation of the skin around the mouth opening is likely caused by contact allergy or the continuous flow of saliva.
- Dental plaque accumulation can lead to dental infections.
- Bowel infections are more common in those with weak immunity. These infections can be as severe as infective hemorrhagic or brain abscesses.
An analysis of the long-term effects of tongue piercing showed that people who had their tongues pierced suffered more enamel cracks and dental carries than those who didn’t.
How to care for a tongue piercing
Dental surgeons recommend that you take certain steps to minimize pain and avoid potential complications from tongue piercing. These are:
- Take a cold liquid the first day, and then a soft-food diet the following days
- Externally applying ice for 30 minutes five times per day
- For the first 10 days following the piercing, you should use mouthwash with Chlorhexidine five to a day
- Reducing alcohol and cigarettes as well as caffeine-containing foods
- Not chewing gum
- For the first week, limit the use of your tongue to speak.
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- For signs of infection, observe the area around the mouth and the rest of the mouth.
If you have any questions, consult your dentist or physician immediately.
- For more than a week, the pain and swelling will continue.
- You may see pus, bleeding, tenderness or accumulation of blood around the pierced area.
- Fever is developed in 1-2 weeks.