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Piercing the tongue has a long history in religious and performance practices. Permanent or long-term piercing of the tongue of part of the resurgence of body piercing in modern times.

Tongue Jewellery:

The most common jewellery is barbells. The barbells are available is surgical steel, gold plated steel and plastics. Initially, a barbell with stem of 12mm is chosen to accommodate the swollen tongue which occurs immediately after piercing. After the swelling subsides the 12mm stem will be  replaced with a 10mm stem barbell.You can also choose smaller heads or flat skin colour head according to your choice.

Precautions Before Piercing Tongue:

• Piercings should be done by health care professionals. Do not try to do it yourself.
• If you suffer from allergies, infections or diseases, consult your doctor first.
• Select a appropriate size of the jewellery and sterilize it.
• See to it that the needle or other instruments to be used are sterilized.

Points To Be Noted During Piercing:

• Clean the tongue with a germicidal solution.
• Select the site of piercing. Piercing should be done in the midline of the tongue around 2cms/0.75 inch away from the tip of the tongue with the top part a little back compared to the bottom part. It should be before the attachment of lingual frenum.

Tongue Piercing Aftercare:

• Swelling of the tongue to nearly twice its normal size after piercing has been seen. This causes difficulty in eating and speech. You should try and take regular sips of ice cold water or hold ice cubes over the site for the next 24 hrs. This reduces the swelling faster. Swelling will start reducing by 3-5 days time and you should be able to put the smaller barbell by 8-10 days time.
• Use a non – alcoholic mouth – rinse, twice a day for 2 weeks.
• Continue brushing daily.
• You will have to eat soft diet till the tongue is completely healed. The tongue heals very fast compared to other parts of the body. Avoid hot and spicy food until healing it complete
• Avoid smoking
• Do not play with the jewellery or it can delay the healing process.
• Talk as little as possible till healing is complete.
• Clean the jewellery once a month by taking it out.

Following proper aftercare is very important to avoid any infections. Piercings are not a very easy procedure, mainly adapting to the jewellery. Proper speech takes few days to come back. Also you will be able to eat properly only after a few days.

Complications of Tongue Piercing:

• Swelling of tongue occurs which subsides in 10 days time.
• Healing of the wound takes around a few weeks to complete.
• Immediately after piercing, a little white/ whitish yellow liquid can ooze from the wound. This is normal and part of the healing process. Don’t be alarmed.
• Long term use of tongue jewellery can lead to fracture or chipping of the tooth. Also recession of the lower gums can also be seen.
• Improper placement can lead to nerve injury also.
• Infection is a big problem if proper care during and after the procedure is not taken.

It is important to understand the complications, both physical and psychological that can occur by placement of tongue jewellery. You should be completely aware of the risk before undertaking such a procedure. The tongue can completely heal and the gap close if the jewellery is removed and not replaced for as little as a day.

This post is participating in a Dental health contest at worldental.org