A tongue piercing infection might not be the first thing on your mind when you decide to get your tongue pierced, but it is a real risk. The key thing to remember is that you can avoid it as long as you follow the right aftercare and hygiene rules.
That said, if you do not take care of the piercing, it is genuinely easy to develop an infection. The good news is that once your piercing is fully healed, you usually no longer have to worry about a tongue piercing infection.
If you are thinking about getting your tongue pierced, do not forget to learn about every risk and every hygiene rule you need to follow to avoid an infection.
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What Is a Tongue Piercing Infection?
At its core, a tongue infection is a buildup of harmful bacteria that has gotten into the wound. These bacteria trigger a reaction that comes with a variety of different symptoms.
A tongue piercing infection can sometimes be tricky to spot. Part of the reason is that it is completely normal for the tongue to swell and stay swollen for a week or more.
However, even though swelling on a fresh piercing is normal, it can also be one of the main signs of an infection. Pain is also part of the picture, even though some pain is unavoidable.
A tongue piercing that is healing normally can share a lot of visual similarities with an infection. Infections can spread beyond the piercing area, so you need to stay alert, because this can have serious consequences for your health.
What Causes a Tongue Piercing Infection?
As we mentioned, the bacteria that get into the piercing are the source of infections. The thing is, there are always bacteria in your mouth. The normal bacteria that live in a healthy mouth do not cause infections.
There are several reasons why harmful bacteria can grow in your tongue piercing:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Good dental health matters whether or not you have piercings. Still, it is even more important when you have a tongue piercing.
To avoid a tongue piercing infection, you should:
- Brush your teeth
- Floss regularly
- Use a mouthwash to clear out excess bacteria.
- Another way to prevent excess bacteria and inflammation in the mouth is to avoid foods and drinks that are too sugary.
Poor General Health
You might not realize it, but the health of your mouth is tied to your overall health. If you do not take care of yourself, your dental health will show it. So make sure you eat well and get good sleep.
A healthy body is far better at preventing and fighting off a tongue piercing infection.
💎 Tongue Piercing: Does It Hurt?
Unsanitary Conditions
Sometimes bacteria get in during the piercing itself at the studio. This is becoming less and less common thanks to strict hygiene standards, but it is still possible.
A reputable piercer will most likely have better hygiene than someone less established. To make sure you are working with professionals, do your research on the studio.
A reputable, experienced piercer may charge a slightly higher price, but it will definitely be worth it in the long run.
Touching Your Tongue Piercing Without Washing Your Hands
You should not have your hands in your mouth in the first place, but keep in mind that your hands constantly pick up bacteria from every surface you touch.
As a result, if you touch your piercing without washing your hands, you deposit bacteria straight onto your tongue piercing, and that can raise your risk of infection.
Having an Irritated Tongue
Your tongue can get irritated for all sorts of reasons. If your tongue is already irritated by something, it is not in great shape to take a piercing or to fend off an infection.
A few things that can irritate your tongue include:
- Drinking hot beverages during the healing phase
- Using a mouthwash that contains alcohol
- Playing with your jewelry.
Oral Sex During the Healing Phase
Our body, just like our mouth, is host to plenty of bacteria. Most of the time they are harmless, but when you have a fresh piercing, what is usually normal and harmless can cause an infection.
Oral sex can increase the risk of bacteria spreading in the mouth and potentially lead to an infection.
How to Know If Your Tongue Piercing Is Infected: Signs and Symptoms
Every piercing is going to be a little sensitive at first, so you may not be sure how to tell whether your tongue piercing is infected. Here are the symptoms to watch for.
Excessive Swelling
Yes, your tongue is going to swell, and that is perfectly normal. It is even normal to have trouble eating and talking. But if your tongue is very inflamed and you are having a particularly hard time eating or speaking, that can point to an infection.
Your tongue should NOT be swollen to the point where you have difficulty breathing. If that happens, see a doctor immediately.
It is also important to pay attention to how long the swelling lasts. Anything beyond 7 to 10 days is abnormal. Swelling that lasts more than 10 days does not automatically mean you have an infection, but if your tongue is still swollen at that point, check for other signs of infection.
Redness and Tenderness
Again, your tongue piercing is going to be a little red and tender, which is completely normal and caused by inflammation. Inflammation is one of your body's ways of healing.
Watch out for redness that lasts more than a week, and if you see red streaks coming out of the piercing and running down your tongue, see a doctor right away. If your piercing stays healthy, the tenderness should gradually fade.
Bleeding or Discharge
Your tongue may bleed a little or release some fluid while it heals. There is nothing to worry about there.
However, yellow or green pus is not a good sign, and if you have tongue bleeding after the normal healing period, an infection may be present.
Discoloration
If you notice discoloration on your tongue, you absolutely need to see a doctor. It is a sign of a serious, advanced infection.
How to Treat an Infected Tongue Piercing
If you catch an infection in the early stages, you can try to treat it at home. Keep an eye on the symptoms to make sure they are not getting worse.
One of the best things you can do:
- Keep your mouth clean to try to reduce the level of bacteria.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water after every meal.
If the swelling or pain is uncomfortable, you can put a small piece of ice in your mouth. It will help bring down the inflammation.
Never remove the piercing when you suspect an infection. Keeping the jewelry in place allows the infection to drain, which is necessary to clear out the bacteria.
💎 Check out this diamond tongue piercing
If you take the jewelry out, your piercing will close up quickly and may seal the bacteria inside, spreading the infection.
For severe or long-lasting infections, you should see a doctor to start a course of antibiotics. It will prevent more serious complications.
What Happens After a Tongue Piercing Infection?
If it is treated and healed, your piercing should go back to normal.
It is important that you keep up good oral hygiene after the tongue piercing infection has cleared.
You can get an infection, or another infection, even years after getting a tongue piercing. Any wound can let bacteria in, no matter how small it is.
How to Prevent a Tongue Piercing Infection
If you have not gotten your tongue pierced yet, or you have not yet healed from an infection, the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent infections.
Follow these tips to reduce the risk of a tongue piercing infection:
- Go to a reputable piercer and make sure they use sterilized equipment.
- Only wear steel, titanium, or gold jewelry during the healing phase; acrylic holds more bacteria.
- Follow the aftercare instructions, do not touch the jewelry, and keep your mouth clean.
- Avoid hot drinks, alcohol, and any food that could irritate the piercing until it is healed.
- Rinse your mouth after every meal, either with a saline solution (salt water) or, at the very least, plain water.
💎 Check out this flower tongue piercing
Conclusion: The Tongue Piercing Infection
A tongue piercing infection is not fun to deal with. Put everything in your favor and keep your mouth clean to give yourself the best chance of preventing an infection.
If you do end up with an infected tongue piercing, keep the jewelry in and rinse with salt water. Make sure you see a doctor if the infection gets worse.
By following the tips above, you can hopefully avoid any potential infection and keep enjoying your tongue piercing for years to come.
