Tongue piercing began as a religious ritual among Aztec tribes. Aztecs believed that the tongue piercing would enable important members of their tribes to communicate with the gods. Now, tongue piercings are popular in the body modification culture and controversial among oral health care professionals. Learn how the procedure is performed to decide whether it's right for you.
Tools Used
Tongue piercing is performed with a piercing needle, forceps and new, sterile jewelry. All equipment should be sterilized before use in an autoclave heated to 121 degrees Celsius or higher, or it should be extracted from prepackaged sterile kits.
Procedure
The body modification expert pulls the tongue out of the mouth, using forceps, and marks the piercing. Then, holding the tongue with forceps, the expert inserts the needle from the bottom. The barbell is inserted. The whole procedure takes about 10 minutes, with the actual piercing taking only a few seconds. Make sure the piercer wears sterile plastic gloves.
Placement
The Association of Professional Piercers notes, "Proper placement of an oral piercing is critical to the health and comfort of the piercee." A traditional tongue piercing is situated along the midline of the tongue about ¾ inch back from the tip. Bodypiercingline.com says the piercing may be inserted at a slight angle, with the top further back than the bottom, to allow maximum room for the piercing in your mouth and minimize damage to the teeth.
Jewelry
Your body modification expert should use high-grade titanium or surgical-grade steel jewelry. Tongue rings usually have a straight barbell with a screw bead on one end that can be removed to insert and take out the jewelry. The initial piece of jewelry should be longer than usual, to account for swelling, and should be replaced immediately once the swelling goes down.
Safety Precautions
Before your piercing, ask to see your body artist's work portfolio. Inquire about how they sterilize instruments; ask to see their piercing room, and casually check the artist's hands to make sure his fingernails and palms are clean. Make sure sterilization packets are well labeled and properly sealed. Kaspa, a body modification expert in New York, reminds clients that there's a big difference between sanitary and sterile. Just because a room appears clean does not mean it is sterile.
After your piercing, don't smoke, touch your piercing or remove your jewelry. If you suspect infection, visit your doctor immediately.
Variations
Most tongue piercings are single punctures in the center of the tongue. However, bodypiercingline.com observes several variations. Dual tongue rings next to each other on either side of the tongue are known as a venom piercing. Two piercings one in front of the other are called angel eyes. There is also a tongue web, or frenulum, piercing, and a tip of the tongue piercing, both of which hold ring-shaped jewelry.
References
- The Association of Professional Piercers: Oral Piercing Risks and Safety Measures
- Bodypiercingline.com: Tongue Piercing
- Kaspa, APP Certified Body Modification Expert, NYC: Personal Interview
