My mom would never agree to a piercing. Especially a tongue piercing. Especially on a freshman. Especially her daughter. I spent days researching tongue piercings after my neighbor suggested one. I researched until I knew everything and then I researched some more. I compiled pictures and photocopies, stories and dental journals. I took everything I found and in weeks I condensed it all into a 10 page essay.
At A Glance Author Steph Contact Steph@bme.anon When Two years ago Studio Tattoo America Location Nashua, NH Everything I learned and discovered I presented in this essay. I had stories and I had the pros and cons. I didn't show it to her right away, instead I went to neighbors and showed them and asked their opinion. One of them even agreed to let her daughter go get one because of my essay. I still didn't show it to my mom. she wasn't the type of mom to badger with begging and pleading, she would just say no automatically. I finally worked up the nerve and gave it to her before she went into the bathroom. She read it and on coming out I restrained myself from asking her how she liked it and whether I could. Finally she came to me and said Okay.
The first time we went my heart was in my throat but the piercer wasn't in. Disappointed, I went home and waited for the next weekend. It came and my neighbor joined us for the trip. It was awesome and I was pumped. I had my advil ready, I had my bottle of water and my listerine. I had brushed my teeth right before we left and I was alll set. I was so set I volunteered to go first. I already told myself that no matter what there was no bailing. I had known people to want a piercing just to bail at the door. If you want it done, stick with it. Don't disgrace the piercing by bailing, because to me, you don't want it, and never did. If you really wanted it you would never have bailed out.
Sitting in that chair I was nervous. I was even more nervous when the lady told me she was a masoshist. It freaked me out but I knew that this was it. Now or never. I chose now.
I waited for the clamps, and yes I drooled. Then I saw the needle and immediately closed my eyes. I felt the prick of the needle and my eyes started to water, I could feel every second of the needle going through my tongue and although it didnt hurt exactly, it was somewhat painful.
I was careful to roll my tongue back into my mouth so not to hit my teeth and I was pumped. I felt the foreign object in my mouth and grinned. This was me and it was all me and I loved it.
My neighbor went next and she bled a litle. I kept smiling to myself and my mom had a disgusted look on her face. I was pumped but kind of sore. We went to my house and ate ice and watched a movie. That night I ate some soup and was Religiously washing my mouth out every every meal. I used the oxy-glycol and it worked wonders. I never had an infection and never had any problem. I was showing it off every second I could and had already bought back up jewelry. I knew that the jewelry would tempt me to remove it too soon, but I loved to imagine the day when I could have multi-colored balls on my tongue.
Due to the strict regimen I kept myself on, by the end of the week I was eating barbeque chips, albeit carefully, and I was still rinsing with listerine.
Now, I am very happy with my piercing and I still feel that it is one of my biggest accomplishments. I have taken it out for hours on a time and it has never closed up on me. BUT IT MAY WITH YOU! I got yelled at by my new dentist, who disagreed with my old dentist who said that as long as I wear plastic balls on it, it would be okay. He said no mouth piercing was okay. Which I disagreed with and continue to. I take it out when I go to the dentist now, and put it back in when I get home.
It is a wonderful thing to have, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is as big a part of me now as my face, or my structure. It's a modification, but it was one for the better. Now that I have caught the addiction, I'm looking at a lip piercing this week, maybe an industrial, and after I turn 18 all hell will break loose.
Be aware of what you're getting yourself into, it's an expensive habit, but oh so satisfying.
If you're thinking about it, my advice is: think some more. You WILL get descriminated against, you WILL get questions, you WILL have parents look at you funny, and you WILL have a stigma to fight.
Don't disgrace yourself by bailing out. If you want it make sure you really do before going to do it. If you're just entertaining the idea, then dont try and get it done, think some more about it, because it has to be you and true to get it done, otherwise it won't work out.
But all of you who are going to go through with it.
You don't need someone to hold your hand, it's a piece of cake, piece of pie. And you'll enjoy it immensely.