Getting a tongue piercing is something your dentist would more than likely try to convince you not to do. However, if you have decided to go against their better judgement and get a tongue piercing, then you want to make sure you know how to take proper care of it and when you should see the dentist.
Keep it cleaned properly
Your mouth is loaded with bacteria and this means a tongue piercing and the chances of infection are great. Keep the piercing clean by mixing a quarter-teaspoon of sea salt with a cup of warm water. Soak a cotton ball with the solution and use it to clean the area well.
Don't touch the piercing
The less you touch the piercing with your fingers, the better it will be. If you do need to touch it, make sure you have cleaned your hands right beforehand. Also, be very careful with anything you put in your mouth, including food. You don't want to snag and pull on the new piercing with anything or it can cause you a lot of pain, more swelling and cause you to rip the piercing which increases the chance of infection.
Look for warning signs of infection
Watch the piercing site closely, checking it at least a few times a day in the mirror. You don't want to see more redness at the piercing site, puss coming from the piercing or a sudden increase in the amount of swelling. These can be signs of infection. Some other signs of infection include:
- A fever
- An achy feeling in your body
- Discoloring around the piercing site
- Increased tenderness
- Bleeding once the initial bleeding has stopped
- An abscess near the piercing site (may look like a small pimple)
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you want to go in to see your dentist right away. You will more than likely need to be put on a round of antibiotics to fight off the infection and to prevent it from spreading.
Look for signs of dental problems
A tongue piercing increases your chances of breaking a tooth. The ball on the end of the jewelry will hit against your teeth and it can be easy to accidentally bite on them. If you chip your tooth, fracture it or start experiencing pain in your teeth, you want to get in to the dentist.
The ball on the end of the jewelry will also hit your gums which can eventually lead to them receding, which also needs the attention of the dentist. For more information, check out companies like Barnstable Dental Associates.
