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®).
Hereof, how do I know if my tongue piercing is infected?
Redness or swelling that extends beyond the
- uncomfortable swelling.
- persistent warmth.
- severe pain.
- excessive bleeding.
- pus or yellow discharge.
- bump at the front or back of the piercing.
- fever.
Secondly, why does my tongue have a white coating?
White tongue is the result of an overgrowth and swelling of the fingerlike projections (papillae) on the surface of your tongue. The appearance of a white coating is caused by debris, bacteria and dead cells getting lodged between the enlarged and sometimes inflamed papillae.
Is a white tongue a sign of dehydration?
The most common cause of white tongue is dehydration or dry mouth, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. In fact, if you don’t diligently brush your tongue and teeth at least twice a day, you increase your risk of developing white tongue.
What does a healthy tongue look like?
A healthy tongue is typically pink in color, but it can still vary slightly in dark and light shades. Your tongue also has small nodules on the top and bottom. These are called papillae.
How do you know if your body is rejecting a tongue piercing?
Symptoms of piercing rejection
- more of the jewelry becoming visible on the outside of the piercing.
- the piercing remaining sore, red, irritated, or dry after the first few days.
- the jewelry becoming visible under the skin.
- the piercing hole appearing to be getting larger.
- the jewelry looking like it is hanging differently.
How can I make my tongue piercing 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.
What not to do after getting your tongue pierced?
On the flip side, don’t:
- use tongue scrapers.
- play with your jewelry.
- engage in french kissing or oral sex until the piercing has completely healed.
- play contact sports with your jewelry in your tongue.
- smoke or drink alcohol during the healing process.
How do you clean tongue piercings?
Oral Piercing Care
Rinse your tongue or lip piercing after every meal or snack and before bed. Use warm salt water or an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash. Not kiss anyone while you heal. (Avoid contact with someone else’s saliva.)
How do you clean an infected tongue piercing?
Rinsing Solutions After a Tongue Piercing
To help prevent the risk of infection in the days and weeks following a tongue piercing, use a mouth rinse to clean the piercing site. The ADA suggests rinsing with an alcohol-free mouth rinse regularly during and after the healing period.
Is peroxide good for tongue piercing?
General Care for Body Piercings
Always wash hands thoroughly before contact with piercing. Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. (Both slow the healing of pierced area by drying and killing new healthy cells.) Do not use bacitracin or other ointments.
What does a B12 deficiency tongue look like?
B12 deficiency will also make the tongue sore and beefy-red in color. Glossitis, by causing swelling of the tongue, may also cause the tongue to appear smooth.
What does a white tongue say about your health?
A white tongue, or white spots on your tongue, could be an indication of: Oral thrush – a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth.
What does a dehydrated tongue look like?
White tongue may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as canker sores, bad breath, and lesions. Your entire tongue may be white, or there may only be white spots in a few locations on your tongue. White tongue can be a symptom of dehydration.
