If there are no complications, complete healing usually takes around 4–6 weeks. If there is still swelling after a month, or if the piercing becomes painful or swollen after a period of seeming fine, this may signal an infection or other problem.
Beside above, how do I keep my tongue piercing from getting infected?
To prevent infection and encourage healing:
- Clean oral piercings with mouthwash. If you’ve had your tongue, lip or cheek pierced, rinse with an alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before you go to bed. …
- Clean skin piercings. …
- Avoid swimming. …
- Don’t fiddle with your piercings. …
- Keep the jewelry in place.
Also question is, what can go wrong with tongue piercings?
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.”
When does a tongue piercing stop hurting?
The Association of Professional Piercers lists normal healing symptoms as several days of uncomfortable aching, pinching or tightness in the area of the wound, swelling, bleeding and a yellowish, liquid secretion. Usually, a tongue piercing heals in four to six weeks, according to the IJAHSP.
Is it normal for your tongue piercing hole to stretch?
Since each of the balls unscrews from the barbell, you simply need to unscrew one end, pull the entire piece of jewelry out, and then slide the new one in. The tongue piercing is also extremely easy to stretch; usually, this is done by just inserting the next size every couple of months.
How do you cure a tongue infection?
As an antiseptic, hydrogen peroxide can treat an infection or sore inside your mouth. Use only 3% hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with water (equal parts peroxide to water). Dab the affected area using a cotton swab. After a few seconds, rinse your mouth with warm water.
Do tongue piercings get infected easily?
Infection occurs when bacteria become trapped inside the piercing. Tongue piercings — especially new ones — are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth. Much of the bacteria is introduced by eating and drinking.
What can I use to clean my tongue piercing?
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.
Does salt water help with tongue piercings?
Salt rinses will soothe your new piercing. The rinses feel really good and also help calm the itching part of the healing phase. Shaved ice and cold liquids can help reduce swelling in oral piercings, but remember: do a sea salt rinse after you eat or drink anything other than bottled water.
Can your tongue get infected?
A minor infection on the tongue isn’t uncommon, and it can cause pain and irritation. Inflamed papillae, or taste buds, are small, painful bumps that appear after an injury from a bite or irritation from hot foods. A canker sore is another common cause of pain on or under the tongue.
Can piercing your tongue paralyze you?
Nerve Injury
The tongue is supplied by the hypoglossal nerve and the lingual branch of the trigeminal nerve. These nerves can be damaged during piercing and permanent paralysis of the tongue can occur.
Did my tongue piercing hit a nerve?
After a piercing, the tongue may swell. … And it’s very possible to puncture a nerve during a tongue piercing. If this happens, you may experience a “numb” tongue—nerve damage that is sometimes temporary, but can be permanent. The injured nerve may affect your sense of taste, or how you move your mouth.
Do plastic tongue rings ruin your teeth?
Cracking, Chipping, and Tooth Decay
This common habit can injure your gums and lead to cracked, scratched, or sensitive teeth. It can also damage fillings. While you might wish for tongue rings or piercings that don’t damage teeth, all tongue piercings put your mouth at risk.
