If you are considering having a tongue piercing, you may want to know that there are different types. Under tongue piercing, also referred to as frenulum linguae piercing is done on the frenulum. The frenulum is a narrow strip of skin connecting the floor of the mouth to the bottom of the tongue. You can see the frenulum when you open the mouth and lift the tongue up until it touches the mouth’s roof. The strip of thin skin you see connecting the tongue’s bottom area to the mouth’s roof is what is known as the frenulum. When the piercing is being done, a needle is drawn through the frenulum, which is also referred to as the tongue web. Not everyone is a good candidate for this kind of tongue piercing, so the person doing it will have to examine whether or not your frenulum is thick and tough enough to be able to hold the piercing. Frenulum linguae piercings heal fairly quickly when compared to other types of tongue piercings.
At times a person may get the piercing and it seems all well, however, overtime, it begins to migrate. When this happens, it is likely that the body is rejecting that piercing thereby pushing it slowly out of the person’s mouth. Tongue web piercings show a high rate of migration compared to the other tongue piercings. So, if you are thinking of having one, you should be aware of these things. Again, because not every person can have the piercing, mostly it will depend on the individual’s frenulum structure. To show off this piercing, you will need to open and lift the tongue up.
Which Jewelry to Use for Under the Tongue Piercing?
The jewelry used in under the tongue piercing may be made using high quality metals or high carbonate plastics. If metallic types are used, they should be coated with steel, gold, or titanium. Captive bead rings and what are known as curved barbells are ideal choices when it comes to this type of tongue piercing.
How Tongue Piercing is Done
Before a piercer makes a hole in the tongue, he or she will first check it out. If a tongue web piercing is being performed, the piercer will look at the frenulum’s structure to make sure it is sturdy enough to hold the piercing. Sometimes, the piercer will advise you not to do the piercing if they think that the frenulum cannot hold it because it is too thin or it doesn’t provide sufficient surface for the piercing.
If the piercer decides to go on with the procedure, they will rinse the mouth using an antibacterial mouthwash, sometimes, this may happen later after the piercing. The jewelry may need to be measured depending on the site of the tongue where it will be put, this is to make sure that you have the right size of jewelry fitted.
When you have the jewelry being too short or not long enough, it can pinch the tongue resulting in swelling. This is one reason you will need a professional to do the piercing because he or she understands the procedure very well than an armature. It also prevents complications from arising because of mistakes made during the procedure. When doing the piercing, the piercer may want to use clamps to help hold the tongue in place to easily access the base of the tongue.
Why Do People Get Under Tongue Piercing?
Many people are today considering having under tongue piercings, so you may be asking yourself, “Why has it become fashionable to have under tongue piercing?”
Under tongue piercing is done on the web of the tongue, also known as the frenulum. Having a piercing on this part of the tongue decorates the area by perforating the thin tissue and putting the jewelry, which you can show off when you open the mouth and lift your tongue up. Frenulum linguae piercing does not bleed like other tongue piercings because the area where the piercing is done doesn’t host many blood vessels.
When getting the piercing, there are two glands found beneath a person’s tongue that the piercer should be aware of. These glands deliver saliva to the person’s mouth to help moisten food and keep the mouth and tongue lubricated. In the event that the glands are punctured, it may cause pain and other complications. The glands may block or shut down, something that may result in severe complications.
Is There Pain When Having Under Tongue Piercing?
Yes, an individual will feel pain when they get this kind of tongue piercing because in most cases, the piercer doesn’t apply or use a numbing agent. However, people will react differently to the piercing, and many of those who have had the procedure they claim that they felt minimal pain. The reason may be because the frenulum is said to have few nerve endings, which may mean that a person will have reduced levels of pain when they are having the piercings. That said, what you should know is that the piercing will induce some pain. Also, because this is an unusual place to have a jewelry, you will need to get accustomed to it.
There may be pressure when a clamp is used to hold the frenulum in time of having the procedure, so this may cause some discomfort. Apart from the pinch you feel as the needle goes through the frenulum, there may be nothing else to worry about, but remember that after the puncturing, there will be some tenderness which may last until the wound heals.
Using the right size of jewelry is important because it helps with healing of the site and it lowers the risk of rejection. Many people tend to begin with a curved barbell after which they can replace the jewelry with another piece when the piercing heals.
How Much Does it Cost to Have Under Tongue Piercing?
The amount you will pay for under tongue piercing will depend on the area you live and the professional doing the piercing. Only seek a professional piercer to do your piercing to avoid complications. It may cost you somewhere about $90 or so dollars, but again remember that the price can differ from one area to another. Some piercers may charge separately for the piercing and the jewelry but others combine the two and include that in just one price. Ask your piercer to explain the costing to you so that you are not caught unawares and that you do not pay too much. Another thing to know is that under the tongue piercing may cost more by $5 to $10 dollars compared to standard tongue piercings.
Are There Risks Associated with Under Tongue Piercing?
While there may be no many risks associated with under the tongue piercing, there certainly are some which you need to know. The most common is having an infection but if you have the piercing done by an expert, you lower that risk. Also, if you take good care of the piercing, you also reduce the chances of having an infection.
Rejection may occur if the body perceives the piercing as something foreign; however, it isn’t so common. Rejection forces the jewelry out so that the body is protected. Jewelry migration will set the healing time back meaning. you will have a delay in healing of the piercing.
Aftercare of Under Tongue Piercing
You may be asking yourself, “How long does it take for under the tongue piercing to heal?” Well, it may take about eight to ten weeks for the piercing to heal, but some people may heal in just about two weeks. You will expect to have bleeding and tenderness within the first days following the piercing. During the time the piercing is healing, you want to make sure you follow the aftercare instructions properly.
What to Do After Having the Piercing
You will need to wash your hands using soap and water before you can touch the piercing or jewelry to prevent transferring germs to the area. You may want to use ice chips, which you place them in the mouth to reduce swelling and pain. Proper oral hygiene is needed. Try to rinse the mouth after having snacks or a meal and before you head to bed. You can consider taking softer foods such as ice cream, protein shakes, and mashed potatoes to avoid hurting the wound, but remember this, while taking softer foods is going to minimize hurting the piercing, you need to ensure you take nutritious food.
In fact, you can take real foods and not just live off the oatmeal and baby food s that are going to deprive you the important nutrients you need. Take normal food but make sure you have it in small bites and try to chew slowly. Avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, or crunchy because they can irritate the piercing.
What to Avoid After Having the Piercing
There are things you want to avoid after you have had the piercing and they include:
- Refrain from talking too much to prevent stressing the piercing. It could result in migration or scaring among other complications.
- Avoid playing with the jewelry as it may cause irritation that could leading to delay in healing
- Avoid drinking alcohol because it causes drying out of the mouth as well as the piercing. The alcohol may irritate the piercing and delay the healing. So, whenever you are using a mouthwash, ensure it does not contain alcohol in it.
- Don’t smoke until the piercing has healed because smoking makes it harder for the wound to heal.
- You may think that taking marijuana edibles or smoking marijuana may help with pain, but again you want to avoid these behaviors until you have healed of the piercing.
- Refrain from oral s*x and kissing to prevent contracting an infection.
- Avoid sharing your drinks and food with other people
- Refrain from biting the nails or chewing gum and pencil because they could transfer bacteria into your mouth.
Under Tongue Piercing – Infection
Your piercing should heal in weeks, but after some time, you may find that it doesn’t heal as expected and there are other symptoms occurring. An infection can occur and you need to seek a doctor to get treatment. An antibiotic may be prescribed and the doctor will order testing of the fluid from the area to find out which type of infection or bacteria may have invaded the wound. Bacterial infections occurring in under tongue piercings can be serious if they are left untreated. Signs of an infection may include:
Swelling: While it is expected that you will have some swelling, if it continues for a long time or it gets worse, and it’s accompanied by difficulty in speaking or swallowing, it may be a sign of infection.
Redness: You may have some redness forming in the area, and that’s normal. However, if the redness persists and it comes along with swelling and pain, then it could mean there is an infection.
Bleeding: After you have had the piercing, you will experience bleeding, however if it continues for an extended period, it could indicate an infection.
Red streaks: Having red streaks that are radiating outward from the piercing, it may mean that you have an infection. The streaks may also extend on side of the tongue or on the front.
Discharge: If the tongue appears discolored with green, yellow, or black and purple color, you should take that seriously. It could mean an advanced infection. Sometimes, the discoloration may be accompanied by greenish or yellow discharge meaning there is pus coming from the pierced area.
How to Treat an Under the Tongue Piercing
In the event that you see symptoms and signs of an infection, consult with a physician for immediate examination and treatment. You may be prescribed antibiotics to treat bacterial infection. Painkillers may help ease the pain. Make sure you follow the aftercare instructions even when using medication. Soaking the mouth with a mixture of sea salt and water can also help.