Tongue piercings heal within 6 to 8 weeks on average. After that point, you can remove the piercing whenever you want. Try taking it out when you eat or brush your teeth to help keep it clean.
Stop at your local drug store or general store to get a new toothbrush. Brushes are inexpensive compared to the cost of discomfort and medical treatment for an infection.
New piercings make your tongue very sensitive. Try to avoid it as best you can by holding the toothbrush at an angle. The swelling goes away after 7 to 10 days.
As you brush, roll or sweep the toothbrush down from the tops of your teeth to direct the debris into your mouth. Don’t rush! Rushing is tempting, but quick brushing may leave debris that can wear down your teeth or get into your piercing.
Acidic foods wear down your teeth if you brush right away after eating. Some examples of acidic food include grains, sugar, fish, some meat, and sweetened drinks. Drinking water after eating or brushing before you eat are ways to protect your teeth. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Frequent brushing is a great way to keep your teeth in shape and avoid some tense visits to the dentist. Keep in mind, though, that brushing too hard or too frequently can wear down enamel. After brushing, floss the space between your teeth as you normally do. Take extra care while working on the areas close to the hole in your tongue. Knocking your hand against it could be painful.
You may be able to find prepackaged, sterile saline solutions made for wound care. These are very good when you don’t have time to make your own saltwater. You can prepare the saltwater in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you need it.
You can use the saline solution 4 or 5 times a day. It’s a great alternative to using harsher mouthwashes after every single meal and helps your tongue heal a little faster. Saline solutions are also very good for cleaning piercings you can’t remove or touch without problems.
Look for chlorhexidine mouthwashes at your local drug store or general store. Use a mouthwash no more than 4 to 5 times a day. Try rinsing with mouthwash whenever you eat anything other than water.
Using a mouthwash is especially important when you notice sores or other issues in your mouth. These spots can get infected by bacteria even after the initial piercing has healed.
Wait about a week for the swelling to go down after getting a new piercing. You won’t enjoy trying to do this before then. Give your tongue plenty of rest until then. Try to move the piercing as little as possible until your tongue heals. It heals completely after 6 to 8 weeks, but it is most delicate in the first 10 days.
If your tongue feels too tender to touch with a brush, try wiping it off with your finger. Use a little toothpaste or some hand soap, then rinse out your mouth with clean water.
Another option is to soak the piercing in diluted mouthwash or a saline solution for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse it off with clean water when you’re done. If you brush and use mouthwash regularly, deep cleaning jewelry this way isn’t often necessary. When your jewelry starts looking a little cloudy, take it out and freshen it up. Keep in mind that tongue piercings often heal quickly. Your piercing may start to fill in within 30 minutes if it is new. Everyone heals at a different rate, and it heals more slowly the longer you have it.
Ask your dentist for advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques as well as how to keep a piercing clean.
Your tongue will swell up when you first get a piercing done. It’s awkward and a little painful, but it goes away after about a week. Watch for cuts and sores, especially if you tug on your piercing. Bacteria easily gets into these spots, leading to an infection. Use mouthwash until the spots heal. Visit a doctor right away if you experience severe swelling or signs of an infection like fever, chills, and red streaks on your tongue.
