A tongue piercing is a form of body piercing done directly on the tongue. Although many people are squeamish about getting this kind of piercing, it is fast gaining popularity as people try to break out of the mold.
No matter what stage you’re in on your tongue-piercing journey, there are some facts you should be familiar with. This article will share 12 interesting facts that everyone who has (or is thinking about getting) a tongue piercing should know. Let’s see some interesting facts about this body art.
1. History of tongue piercing
Tongue piercings became well known in the 20th century among trick performers in Europe. But history shows traces to religious practices from old. From the Aztecs, Mesoamericans practiced body and tongue perforations as a sacrifice to their gods. The Asians were known to do it as proof that they were in a trance. It was Gauntlet, the professional body piercing studio in America, that popularized it among other types of piercing.
2. Types of tongue piercing
There are several ways to get tongue piercings. They are interesting to have because they look good and the jewelry makes them unique. What makes them even more unique is the different types of tongue piercing you can get.
The Midline: This is the most common way to get pierced. This type of piercing is located on the tongue midline where there is no frenulum. It is done a few meters away from the tip of the tongue.
The side piercing: Like the midline, it is placed on the areas without frenulum but instead of the middle, it is placed on either the left or right side of the tongue. This is a twist to the classic midline piercing.
Snake eyes: This piercing is made on the tip of the tongue; it is called snake eyes because it is made on two horizontal spots that resemble the eyes.
Frenulum piercing: This piercing is made on the frenulum which is the small tissue that drops from the underside of the tongue down the mouth floor. This means it is placed underneath the tongue and is only visible when you lift your tongue.
3. Tongue piercings are more common with women
Research has shown women are more likely to get tongue piercings than men. The latest rise of the trend is common among young adults to middle-aged women.
4. How it’s done
There will be a quick tongue check for blood vessels, to ensure the right spot is perforated. The chosen spot will be marked out so that the process can be as precise as possible, after which the tongue is clamped and swiftly pierced with a cannula needle. The jewelry is inserted and that’s it.
5. It heals faster than some other body piercings
In about four to six weeks, the piercing should be completely healed. During the first days of getting it done, you will feel pain, and might not be able to talk well or eat certain food. By the first week, the pain would have subsided. The spot will continue to heal from the surface into the tissue until it is completely healed.
6. Factor in the pain
For the tongue to be pierced, a needle has to pass through the tongue from underneath to the top. Interesting, right? So you can imagine how painful that will be. The trauma will cause bleeding but the pain varies depending on your pain threshold.
7. The hole closes on its own
The tongue tissue regenerates quickly so if you leave out the jewelry for too long you may not be able to find the pierced spot anymore. So, if you don’t want the hole to close, avoid taking out the jewelry for too long.
8. Does it affect my oral hygiene?
The pain of getting your tongue pierced will make the simple act of brushing your mouth difficult to do. To maintain your oral hygiene, rinse your mouth with saline solution as often as you can. Or use a mouthwash. Just be careful to avoid alcohol-based brands.
9. It doesn’t work for short tongues
People with really short tongues are not a good candidate for it. This is because you will be required to stick out your tongue to get pierced. But if it doesn’t come out far enough for the piercer, they might not be able to get the job done.
10. Tongue piercings and speech
The interference of speech is inevitable with tongue piercing in the early stages after getting it done. But as it heals you should be able to navigate your way through it. Bigger jewelry can also affect your speech.
11. Eating with tongue piercings
The piercing does not stop you from eating whatever you want. In the first few days of getting it done, you might need to consume more fluids and do less chewing. When you’re completely healed, you should be able to eat anything you desire. The interesting part is getting accustomed to the new addition to your mouth.
12. It gets noticed
As you rock your piercing, you might notice that you stand out amongst other people. It may be looks admiration of the tongue ring, or the brave and edgy vibe of getting a needle through your tongue. If you don’t want the tongue ring to be very visible you can opt for a frenulum piercing.
Ensure that you get your piercing done by a professional and do the essential aftercare. That way, you can safely enjoy your tongue ring. Bear in mind that the safest way to get pierced is in the middle of the mouth through one hole.
