Tongue piercings need four to six weeks to heal, according to Infinite Body Piercing. To avoid an infection, you must clean your tongue piercing daily, and refrain from putting your hands into your mouth. Professional piercers will also urge you to avoid deep kissing and oral sex during the healing period of your tongue piercing to prevent ripping, tearing or infection. You can avoid excess irritation or an infection by establishing a daily cleaning routine for your tongue ring that coincides with your piercer's aftercare advice.
Step 1
Rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash after you eat, drink or smoke. Mouthwashes with alcohol can contribute to more swelling with your tongue ring. Mouthwash cleans your mouth, while loosening any food that may be stuck around or in your tongue piercing.
Step 2
Dispose of your old toothbrush. Buy a new toothbrush to avoid bacteria from your old one. Brush your teeth and tongue twice a day. While brushing your tongue, avoid the hole of the piercing to prevent ripping or tearing the hole.
Step 3
Take an anti-inflammatory medication for swelling and pain during your healing period. Suck on ice chips to also help with swelling. Tongue piercings can swell for up to two weeks. Treating the swelling will make you more comfortable during the healing period.
Step 4
Eat foods that are bland and soft. Hot, spicy or crunchy foods may irritate your tongue piercing during the healing period. Ice cream, mashed potatoes and macaroni are examples of foods that are good options while you are healing. Cereal, hot wings or soup before cooling are foods that may irritate your tongue piercing.
Step 5
Visit your piercer to downsize your tongue barbell after your swelling ceases. The long barbell in your tongue is to allow for swelling. Once the swelling is gone, you can chip or crack a tooth or cause your gum line to recede from wearing a tongue barbell that is too large.
Tips and Warnings
- Brush your tongue barbell with a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove plaque from the shaft and beads of the jewelry.
- Keep your hands out of your mouth during the healing period of your tongue piercing. Do not play with your tongue barbell or hit your barbell against your teeth. That can damage the inside of your mouth.
Things You'll Need
- Alcohol free mouthwash
- Ice
- Anti-inflammatory
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
