Tongue Piercing Aftercare Guide

  • Given that it heals in about 3 to 6 months, take good care of your piercing and follow the aftercare instructions.
  • Throughout the healing process, clean your newly placed oral piercing two to three times a day using a saline piercing aftercare solution.
  • Keeping good oral hygiene practices is important in maintaining a healthy mouth and piercing.You will want to floss, brush and use mouth rinse at least twice a day. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse.
  • Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
  • Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium according to package instructions.
  • Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.
  • Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.
  • Be sure to rinse your piercing thoroughly with warm water once a day. Then rinse with saline twice a day.
  • Have a piercer confirm that the piercing has fully healed before stopping aftercare practices.

Tips & Tricks

  • Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
  • Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly after every time you eat, drink or smoke.
  • Gently brush the jewelry with a clean toothbrush regularly to avoid plaque build up.
  • Always begin with a light piece of jewelry.
  • Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post or barbell to avoid damage to the teeth and gums.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for the first two weeks (no specific foods need to be avoided).
  • Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth and gums.
  • Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
  • Do not use contact solution, eye drops, or nasal rinse products on your piercing.
  • Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.
  • Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, oceans, and even the bathtub./li>
  • Minimize the intake of smoking and vaping (tobacco or cannabis). It increases risks and prolongs healing time.
  • Avoid tea tree oil and any other products that your friends or social media have recommended.