How To Recover From a Tongue Piercing

Whether your tongue piercing is symbolic or aesthetic, the resulting hole in the tongue is a wound. Like other wounds, you must care for it properly to avoid infection and unnecessary pain during the healing process. Wounds inside the mouth heal under different conditions from other skin wounds. Moisture inside the mouth and the presence of bacteria makes it especially important to be diligent in caring for the piercing. Proper care helps you recover from a tongue piercing without problems or infection.

Things You'll Need

• Crushed ice
• Drinking glass
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Antibacterial mouthwash
• Sterile saline solution
• Cotton swab

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Instructions

• 1

  Crushed ice reduces swelling near the piercing.

  Place a few pieces of crushed ice in your mouth after you wake up. Since blood pools in the head while you're lying down, the tongue will swell a bit during sleep. Allow the crushed ice to melt in your mouth to reduce swelling, but don't suck on the ice cube as the sucking motion can remove clots in the piercing wound and cause bleeding. Drink cold water from the refrigerator throughout the day to keep swelling down.

• 2

  Brush your teeth very gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. Clean your teeth first thing in the morning, after eating and before bed to prevent bacteria or food particles from entering the piercing wound.

• 3

  Oral health is very important following a tongue piercing.

  Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash. Gargle and swish the mouthwash around the piercing for one minute, at least three times each day.

• 4

  Swab the tongue ring with sterile saltine solution in between brushing and using mouthwash to keep it bacteria-free.