Can’t get my tongue jewelry back through…

Thursday May 29th, 2008 @ 10:38 AM

Filed under: Tongue

I had my tongue pierced about 7/8 years ago now. I took out my bar for a bit of a break and now had my stud out for about a year or two. The hole is still there as I freak people out at work by putting a paper clip through it.

I now want to to get my stud back in, but unfortunately I can only get it through half way?!?! Has anyone got any suggestions please?

Regards

Andy

Considering you had your jewelry out for a year or two, it shouldn’t come as much surprise that hole is still open, but has shrunk a bit. Your best option is probably a trip to your piercer to have them stretch the hole slightly so the jewelry will fit back in.

If you don’t got that route, you will need to find a way to enlarge the hole so you can put the jewelry back in.

Just go see a piercer, is my vote.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 1 Comment

Tongue piercing and dental work

Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 7:50 PM

Filed under: Tongue

I was planning on getting my tongue pierced quite soon, preferably at a larger gauge if possible.

However, I need to get on one of my front teeth fixed, as it was broken pretty much in half a few years ago, but I’m not sure when this will happen.

I was wondering if the piercing would affect the dental work in any way? Maybe causing damage?

Also, would I maybe need to wait until the work is complete before I get the piercing?

Anyone thinking about getting a tongue piercing needs to understanding that damage, in varying degrees, to your teeth and gums is a very real possibility. There is, of course, no guarantee you will damage your teeth and gums, but you very well might. So yes…a tongue piercing might also affect the dental work you have done. If it’s a front tooth you are having worked on, the chances are probably lower than if it was a molar…but the chance is still there.

I don’t think you would need to wait until you’ve had the dental work completed. However, the tongue piercing would need to be old enough so that you can safely remove it, without worry of it closing, if your dentist requires it when they do the work.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 2 Comments

tongue piercing and anesthetic

Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:59 AM

Filed under: Tongue

So I’m a big whimp. I really want a tongue piercing but I’m super not good with pain. I’m a bit of a schemer, however, and I am thinking of pairing my upcoming cavity filling session at the dentist with a trip immediately after to the piercing parlor.

My question: Are there dangers associated with getting my tongue pierced while it is numb from dental anesthetic? I”m aware that it will hurt after - i’m more concerned about the pain during the piercing. Can’t find anything online that addresses this. I don’t really know why there would be a danger but I want to be sure. Am I being a big baby about this piercing thing? How bad is the actual piercing moment (mind you I have a LOW pain threshhold). My other thought is to get drunk and then get pierced but I”ve heard that this is a bad idea.

Thanks in advance for your time!

“Am I being a big baby about this piercing thing?”

So, I guess I’d stop short (just barely) of calling you a baby (hey, you asked), but I would say that you’re making a way bigger deal out of it than is necessary. Being nervous about the pain of any piercing is perfectly normal. However, when it comes down to it, the pain of most piercings is pretty minimal…and even if it does hurt a bit, the pain won’t last very long as the piercing is VERY fast.

Definitely don’t get it done while you are drunk. There are lots of reasons…but just don’t.

There probably aren’t going to be any serious side effects to having it done after you get your filling done. However, there is no guarantee that will have an affect. Having had various fillings myself, just how numb I’ve ended up being is different almost every time…anywhere from no numbness of my tongue to quite a bit. Even when my tongue has ended up being numb, however, it’s almost always just one side of my tongue, no the whole thing. Since the piercing is going to be done in the middle of your tongue, the anesthetic probably won’t do much, if any, good.

Also, if your tongue is numb, you may not be able to control it well, keeping you from manipulating it the way the piercer needs you to. Another consideration is that if your tongue is numb enough for you to not feel it, it’s likely going to affect your speech, which your piercer will likely notice. If they figure out you are trying ot be sneaky with your numb tongue, you may well end up with a piercer who won’t do your piercing.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 3 Comments

Of age battleing parental interference, health concern

Monday May 26th, 2008 @ 12:13 AM

Filed under: Tongue

This is an odd angle but I figured to get someone else’s opinion.

I am about to turn 20 and I still live at home. There’s no reason to leave, I’m not in school yet and they love and feed me, no rent ? Since I turned 18 I have gotten my fair share of piercings ranging from miscellaneous ear to navel, all of which my parents are aware of, albeit they did fret but in the end it was alright. I even got a tattoo WITH my mom after her 50th birthday. I did get my nipples pierced without them knowing but that was and is still something I did for myself.

The dilemma I am facing right now is that I have wanted to get my tongue pierced since I could remember; I think it was around 7th grade when I was 12. I used to hold a straight barbell in my mouth and pretend it was really pierced. I think it somewhat alleviates an oral fixation I have had since I was small.

6 years ago I was diagnosed with a heart condition called W-P-W where extra nodes and nerves in my heart cause my heart to race excessively when doing things like running and working out. I had two minor surgeries the first year and had since had no real problems with it; they did say I would probably have problems later on since they were only able to get rid of 80% of the problem nerves. 6 years later is later on and I am having problems.

The issue is that my mother is concerned that having an “open wound” and possible infection in my mouth would stop a surgeon from performing another procedure for my heart, should I need one. She always refers back to a friend whose doctor refused to do a heart valve replacement due to bad oral and teeth health.

I just had my tragus pierced yesterday and she never had an issue with that having to do with another heart procedure, so why now?

I have assured her that if there were any problems they would be assessed in the beginning and by the time and procedures would me performed (months away) the piercing would be 100% infection free and fully healed, or removed due to my speech.

I guess my story bo

First question for me to bring up is, have you made your piercers aware of your health conditions? Have you gotten approval from your doctor to get these body piercings? Most consent forms in piercing & tattoo establishments should have a section advising you if you have any health issues, to notify us so we can do what’s best. Because the last thing our industry needs is another potential health concern issue spreading through the papers…Especially when its involving something like a tongue piercing, which ALWAYS gets bad press.

In terms of heart procedures I’m a bit baffled as to why your parents would be alright with you getting a tragus piercing and not ok with a tongue piercing. Personally if your mom is saying a tongue piercing is a health concern (which it can be, especially if you go in for another heart operation), a tragus can also be a health concern as well.

What I’d suggest for you to do is perhaps organize a visit to your doctor and sit down with them and discuss the matter and get an OFFICIAL statement from them on the subject…That way both you and your mother are on the same page when it comes to your medical situation and your desire to receive body piercings.

Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 6 Comments

Tongue piercing problem?

Wednesday May 21st, 2008 @ 7:06 AM

Filed under: Tongue

I got my tongue pierced about three weeks ago, and within the last few days I’ve been starting to notice that the skin around the bar was beginning to rise. I started to clean it more and cut out any milk products like my piercer told me to, but it hasn’t helped any. I’m beginning to think that it’s probably a keliod from biting the piercing (as I often do when I try to eat), so I’ve been super careful with it lately. I just wanted to know, if it is a keliod, if there is anyway to treat it or get rid of it, or if I should just throw in the towel and take out the piercing while it’s still fairly small.

Thanks!

What you are describing is a build-up of tissue most likely from irritation. The only way to deal with this is to identify the source of the irritation and deal with that but it sounds like you’ve already hit the hail on the head - biting it! At three weeks old, your piercing jewellery should be ready to downsize, if it hasn’t already been done so. Having an over-sized bar would be a contributing factor as it is going to move around more now that the majority of the swelling has subsided and you are more likely to chomp down on the bar.

So, if you haven’t already done so, go back and see your piercer to get the bar downsized, avoid playing with the piercing and take your time eating and the problem should rectify itself. If this doesn’t help, if the lump continues to get worse then we need to look at what else could be going on there, but I’m confident that you have already identified the cause of the problem.

Posted by Tiff Badhairdo | Permalink | Comments

Something wrong with my tongue?

Sunday May 18th, 2008 @ 11:34 PM

Filed under: Tongue

I got my tongue pierced around 43 hours ago, and im worried that their might be something wrong with it. It’s quite unsightly: the tip of my tongue is turning a dark bruised color and there is a small red bump infront of the bead on the topside and the back of my tongue is turning a whitish color. Its not very swollen however. I’ve been cleaning it with diluted tech 2000 about every 6 hours or so, and after i eat. Is it normal for my tongue to turn these ugly colors? Is there something i should do? What caused this?

In situations like this, it always makes me wonder why a person would sit and ask this question online, instead of visiting a piercing studio or quite possibly an ER.

43 Hours ago and the tip of your tongue is darkly bruised and small red bumps are showing infront of the bead on the top and back of tongue turning white? It could be a cluster of issues there, I can say for certain the bruising is a result of the pathway going through some blood vessels be they minor or major blood vessels.

Also with mouth wash its better to use it morning and night, no more, and through-out the day use salt water/sterile saline,etc. As when using a properly mixed isotonic sterile saline solution you’re flushing out the wound but also promoting skin cell regeneration.

However based on the number of symptoms you’re stating, I would say go straight to the ER/Doctor, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Better than a medical professional assess the situation and provide a proper means of treatment and dish out medical advice, then those of us who are not medical practitioners.

I know this is a very vague/cloudy answer to your question and doesn’t really help that much…But without seeing how the piercing was done and physically in person, it’s hard to say…The only thing I can say is the bruising is a result of the needle passing through blood vessels to cause the bruising

Posted by Warren Hiller | Permalink | 4 Comments

Tongue web piercing

Friday May 16th, 2008 @ 1:53 AM

Filed under: Tongue

I got my piercing 5 days ago it’s still a little swollen. But my worry is that its white is that normal does that mean its healing and theres a little flap of skin over one of the openings .What should i do and what does this mean.

Thanks

The whiteness and tissue you are seeing are fairly common with this type of piercing. The incredibly soft nature of the frenulum tissue makes it prone to irritation from moving jewelry. Most likely both the whiteness and the excess tissue will go awa as the piercing “toughens up” a bit.

The one thing to keep an on eye is the tissue build-up. A little bit of it is no problem. But if it seems to become excessive, a trip to your piercer, and a possible jewelry change, may be in order.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | Comments

Web piercing + dentist.

Monday May 5th, 2008 @ 9:11 PM

Filed under: Tongue

Basically, I got my web pierced, I’m still underage, and my mom doesn’t know about it, and I don’t plan on letting her know about it. I’m bound to have a dentist appointment eventually. I know I can hide it for cleaning and whatnot, and the people who do that the the clinic I go to are pretty hip, and they either won’t say anything, or won’t think anything of it. But then, my actual dentist, is not exactly modern, and made quite the scene when he noticed my industiral, “What is that, a nail through your ear? That’s so weird, I’d never let my daughter get that.” And I’m sure he’d mention something when he sees a web piercing in my xrays.

So, do they have the right, I suppose, but that probably isn’t the right thing to say, to tell them about something like a web piercing? Unless I’ve got receeding gums, which I don’t, I can’t see any reason that they’d need to tell them. I’m in Nova Scotia, Canada if that helps.

Thank You! (:

I was unable to find a specific guideline deeming whether or not a dental practitioner in Nova Scotia has the right to inform your legal guardians of your piercings. If you are the age of majority, they definitely wouldn’t have the right to do so.

I’ll say that if this is your concern, mention it to your dentist in a mature straight-forward manner that you have this piercing for your own personal reasons and that you would prefer that it not be mentioned or brought up to others. Your dentist will be more likely to respect your wishes if you can give a solid and positive explanation of why you have chosen to wear this piercing.

Posted by Russ Foxx | Permalink | 2 Comments

Tongue tied

Thursday January 24th, 2008 @ 12:36 PM

Filed under: Tongue

Okay so I went into a shop to ask this question a few months ago but my mom was with me but I had only gotten her to agree to one piercing soooo…. the guy told me that I couldn’t pierce my tongue because I’m way to tongue tied for a center one but I want two one on the left and one on the right(Venoms? I’m not sure on the name) Any who my question is: would it be possible to pierce the sides even if I can’t get the center done?? I know this might be an anatomy question but I’m not allowed into the shop without a parent and I’d rather have a basic idea if it’s doable or not before I try to talk them. Thankx

If your tongue is too short to accommodate a standard tongue piercing, it’s not likely to be any better-suited for side tongue piercings. In fact, depending upon the shape of your tongue, it might be even less-suited for a piercing.

A tongue piercing done on a tongue that is too short can often lead to damage to the lower teeth and gums. The piercing(s) would probably heal fine, but it’s the long-term affects it can have on your oral health that you need to be concerned about.

It sounds like you’re a minor, so you may not have this option right now, but at some point, you could consider having your tongue webbing cut (frenectomy). This will generally take care of your being “tongue tied”, and often makes the tongue long enough to be pierced.

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | 4 Comments

Need some professional help

Wednesday January 9th, 2008 @ 6:59 PM

Filed under: Tongue

I want to get my tongue pierced and it will be my first non-ear piercing and while I was doing my research I realize that I could have a metal allergy.

But when I went to my pierce he basically said to deal with it; if it does get infected, switch it in a week with a gold one when the swelling goes down because they don’t have a gold barbell long enough for the 1st piercing, which doesn’t make sense because if it got infected the swelling wouldn’t go down so I couldn’t change it. And it also sounded like he didn’t care if it did happen or didn’t know much more then me. Which leads me to want to get another piercer. But anyway I said all that to ask this:

Should I fine a new pierce?

Could I have a metal allergy and can I still get my tongue pierce?

Is titanium and gold the best metal to use and would it be wrong if I brought my own barbells to be pierced with?

And if so where can I find a good place that sells them.

How is http://www.titaniumonly.com/?

Thank you so much!!!

A couple of points of clarification, just so we’re on the same page:

When you have a reaction to a particular kind of jewelry, it’s exactly that…a reaction. It’s not an infection. An infection would occur for a whole different reason and would be a whole different issue to deal with. Your body has a reaction to the jewelry because there is something in it that your body simply can’t deal with.

Most people who have metal sensitivities end up being sensitive/allergic to nickel. The reason you can’t wear “standard” earrings or stainless steel body jewelry is because it has nickel in it. Most people can tolerate a high-quality piece of implant-grade steel without having a reaction. However, that’s a whole different discussion. For your purposes, what matters is that you’ve had trouble wearing stainless steel in the past.

Gold is typically a good option for people who are sensitive to nickel…but again, this presumes it’s a high-quality piece of jewelry to begin with. One of the downsides to gold is it’s high price.

Another option, and one that is much less expensive, is titanium Titanium works well because it contains no nickel.

As for your piercer…I’d say ditch him. If he didn’t offer titanium as an option, or wasn’t at least willing to order the appropriate piece of jewelry for you, it sounds like he either doesn’t know as much as he should and/or he doesn’t care about your health and safety as much as he should. Whatever the case…you don’t want to get pierced by somebody like that.

As for buying your own jewelry, that might be an option. However, I think finding a piercer that knows what they are doing, cares about doing a good job and either stocks the jewelry you need, or is willing to order it, is probably your best option.

Good luck!

Posted by Derek Lowe | Permalink | Comments