Three months ago I had my tongue pierced at New Tribe in Toronto, Ontario. Many friends had told me how much my tongue would swell, but assured me the swelling would go down within a couple of days. I wasn't too concerned with the swelling issues, but rather the pain involved with the needle insertion. To my (pleasant) surprise the actual piercing procedure was not pain full at all. The piercer was quite fun and took my mind off the rather large needle making it's way towards my tongue. I was overall pretty happy with the procedure. I was surprised to see that the jewelry had been inserted on a slight angle, but the artist assured me that it was common - and that he was avoiding piercing through the web under the tongue.
At A Glance Author anonymous When Three months ago Studio New Tribe Location Toronto, Ontario Another surprise was the extremely LARGE jewelry used for the initial piercing. I did however, understood that it was essential to the healing process. The large jewelry allowed for my tongue to swell. The receptionist informed me that I could come back in a couple of weeks and they would give me smaller jewelry and put it in for me for an additional $20. Seemed reasonable.
My tongue did not swell for the remainder of the day, although I keep feeling like I would gag on the jewelry. Things seemed ok, not bad at all. I proceeded with the recommended gargling of non alcoholic mouth wash as advised. I had dinner with friends at a local Japanese restaurant, but quickly discovered that eating solids would not be an option. I had been warned, but still wanted to attempt it! I settled with a bowl of noodle soup that I could sip down without chewing or using my tongue.
When to bed that night still trying to get used to the metal in my mouth and awoke the next morning unaware of what lay ahead.
That's where the trouble began. Day two, I awake and my tongue is SO swollen that I cannot talk, and feel extremely uncomfortable. I had been advised that these were common symptoms and not to be alarmed. The swelling did seem quite excessive though! I begin my liquid diet and continue with the recommended cleansing procedure.
Day Three - Tongue is even more swollen and becomes milky looking.
Day Four/Five/Six/Seven/Eight - A repeat of Day Three..only worse!
Day Nine - I go to a walk in clinic to find out if I should remove the jewelry. I am scared and worried that my tongue is dying or something. It is gross looking and very cakey. I can literally scrap the white gunk off of it with my tooth brush.
The doctor feels I am having a reaction to the mouth wash. I self diagnose myself (on line) with Thrush - basically a yeast infection on my tongue. I want to vomit. The doctor does not feel it is thrush although it shares the same symptoms. He prescribes thrush medication (just incase) as he feels it won't further complicate the problem.
At this point in the process my boyfriend has begun to wonder if he wants anything to do with my mouth anymore. It is nasty and I am forced to gargle and swallow this banana flavored syrup that barely makes it down my throat. Kissing is definitely NOT an option!!
Nothing is working by day 10 and 11, so I decide to stop treating the piercing. Within a day or so, swelling begins to go down. Several days later, PH balance is corrected in my mouth - and white paste on tongue begins to disappear. Into week three my mouth has seemed to work itself out. The piercing seems healed and the jewelry has become even larger in my mouth (similar to day one). I head back to the studio and have the jewelry switched. The new one is much smaller and I can barely feel it in my mouth! I am happy once again.
So...Lesson learned: Sometimes less is more. I think in my case, my mouth was capable of cleaning itself and did not like to be interupted by harsh mouthwash (even though it contained no alcohol!)I screwed up the natural order or balance in my mouth and was forced to suffer with the nastiest side effects!
I just wanted to share my story incase anyone out there is suffering the same symptoms. I had a hard time finding a similar case on line when I was going through it which made me feel even more like a freak. I am glad that I stuck it out, and would not discourage anyone from getting a tongue piercing! Just be open to different healing possibilities, and don't always assume that each cleansing procedure is good for all. As I said before, sometimes less is more.