I've wanted to have my tongue pierced since I was 18. My best friend had hers done and she loved it. She finally had me ready to get it done. So I saved up some money and her mom drove us to a tattoo studio to get it done. I walked in, started to fill out paperwork and realized that I had no ID on me. So it wasn't meant to be.
At A Glance Author Reagan Contact ness0311@yahoo.com When A month ago Artist Tim Studio Hot Rod Tattoo Studio Location Houston, TX Fast forward seven years and once again, I was itching to get one. I don't know what it was about a tongue piercing but I had never wanted a piercing so bad in my life. My parents and siblings were disgusted when I told them I wanted to get one. My boyfriend was pretty upset too - although I figured I could change his mind once I had it awhile.
My boyfriend and I had a fight one night after dinner, so when I drove off I knew that was the right time to just go for it. I went to the same place that I had my tragus pierced about a month earlier. I knew it was clean and safe. Luckily, the same guy that had pierced it was there and he was ready to pierce my tongue. It didn't really sink in until we walked upstairs and he was getting everything ready. I had talked to another friend of mine and she assured me that it was nothing to be afraid of. I was really impressed while I was watching Tim get everything ready. He must have gone through about six pairs of gloves. He changed every time he touched a new item. He gave me some mouthwash and he had some too which I thought was cool. He marked me and said he could move it forward or back if I wanted. His mark was perfect though. I wanted it a little farther back than normal so people at work couldn't notice it. So it was gonna be kind of slanted back which he said was more comfortable anyways. The clamp was more uncomfortable then the actual piercing. The only part I felt was when the needle first pierced the bottom of my tongue. I felt no pain after that. It did feel like he was pulling my tongue out of my body though. I could feel myself coming up off of the chair to counteract his pulling on my tongue. Come to think of it, after I left there, and through the next couple days, the only discomfort I had was where my tongue meets the bottom of my mouth. Cause he had to pull on it so much, I guess it irritated it. But even still, it was nothing really. I went home and was able to talk without my mother or sister noticing. My boyfriend even called later and didn't believe me when I told him I had finally done it!
I ate chicken broth and applesauce for about three days. After that I was able to eat some more food as long as I placed it directly onto my molars or the back of my tongue. It was weird at first. I did bite down on the barbell a few times. But after feeling that pain, I learned not to do it anymore! On day four or five I think, I had my first real meal. It was a baked potato. I mashed it all up and ate the entire thing. It was the best meal I had ever had. You don't realize how much you want food until you can't eat it! By day six, I had barely any swelling, I was eating normal food, and I was speaking clearly. I had some discharge out of it which was normal, but a rinse would take care of that immediately. I've already changed the barbell a few times. I'm so indecisive, but I love the freedom of putting all kinds of different barbells in it. Its the most fun piercing I've ever had and I look forward to enjoying it for many years to come. Make sure that if you have a job that has rules as far as piercings go, to buy a barbell with clear balls. I found one with clear half balls. I can't even feel it when I'm wearing it, and you can't see it unless you're really looking for it. I'm having trouble finding 7/8 barbells online though. That's the size they pierce you with. A standard 5/8 barbell is a little tight on me. I guess I have a fat tongue. But I've been able to find 2 7/8's so far. And I bought a pack of 5/8 barbells before I had my piercing. So I just took the balls off of them and I can just put them on my 7/8 barbells. So I'm all set.
If you're thinking about getting your tongue pierced, and the only thing holding you back is the whole procedure and aftercare part, do it! Its not as bad as you think and its completely worth it. As long as you rinse with alcohol free mouth wash or a sea salt/distilled water mix after you eat or drink while its healing, you'll barely even know you're healing a piercing. Feel free to email with any questions. I would love to help you out.