What do you think about tongue piercings?

[Icatsme]

Well. The initial period of tongue swelling is a real pain in the rear, I talked funny for at least two weeks.

I got my tongue pierced at about 19-20 years old. I sized up to an 8 gauge at the largest, that was too big for me, I dropped it back down to a 10. I took it out about when I was 22-23ish because I worked in an office. At 32 I can still put it back in if I wanted to, it's never fully closed up.

Anyway. I never had any problems with tooth chipping. Biting down on it while eating is REALLY uncomfortable (thank goodness for strong teeth).

I noticed that after I took it out I could taste food a lot better. Go figure. I've known quite a few people that have had their tongue pierced and no horror stories. (unlike a lot of horror stories from bellybutton piercings)

All in all, wait until you're 18. If you still want one, know the risks, and if it works for you go for it.

[Lolo76]

Healed skin shouldn't just randomly open up and secrete fluids. Lord, every scar on my body would be oozing.

Yeah, no kidding. I've had multiple piercings over the years, and none of them randomly secrete fluids!

The tongue is different, it's a big muscle, and even having the post out for some hours, it begins to heal right away.

Surprisingly, mine never fully closed up, and I can still put in a small barbell 12 years later... but most of them do heal immediately, and I blame my slow healing on the fact that I'm diabetic.

[wilomn]

I know a guy who has a daughter that is 16. I overheard this conversation a few months ago when she wanted to get her tongue pierced.

First, her father asked her why she wanted it.

She said because it looks cool.

He asked her, "how many people actually saw that far in your mouth on any given day."

Her answer was, "I dunno, not many."

"Do you want it for yourself, to be cool or because everyone else has one," he asked.

"No," she said, "I just like it."

"You know what a lot of guys think when they see it, right?" he said.

"No," she replied, her face turning bright red which indicated that she did indeed know what many guys think of girls who have pierced tongues.

"Want me to tell you?" he asked. "I'm going to anyway, but I'd rather you wanted the information."

"Go ahead, I know you're going to," she said.

"Lots of guys, a significant portion of them, think that girls with pierced tongues are not only easy but like oral sex. It makes no difference that it may not be true, it is an association that is firmly ensconced in our society.
While you may not feel that way, and if you do we need to talk about a much earlier curfew, but it's like wearing mini skirts and high heels, there is an association made there whether you want it or not and it will bring attention whether you want it or not. Not to mention the fact that if things go terribly wrong you may well never speak clearly again."

"But, I'm not like that and none of my friends that have it are either and no one bothers them because of it," she replied

"Most of them are what, 15, 16, maybe 18? Most of them really shouldn't be having anything to do with boys older than 17 anyway. When you get older what you wear, how you appear, what and where you're pierced and tatted, will make a difference. How many people do you see with jobs they like that pay well enough to live on with pierced tongues? And I'm not counting the guy that tattooed your foot or anyone in that industry."

"I don't know," she said.

"I know strippers and dealers and some web folks who all have them but not a single doctor, lawyer or teacher. I suggest," he said, "that you think on this a bit more. When you're 18 if you still want it, go right ahead. I'm fine for your nose, but not your tongue."

I think he did ok. She's going to wait and passed on her nose.

[Mitch21]

That's a good father in my opinion!

[mrs.twistedtails]

Since when did I sign up for myspace???lol. Jk. Tounge piercing are alright, but I would never get it done myself,just keep in mind jobs, and in laws(later on in life), and the aftermath. Chipped teeth, hole in the tongue, is this really worth it?

[Blu Mongoose]

They can cause a lot of damage to your teeth. But if your smile isn't important than go for it. I myself find it disgusting to be talking with someone who is constantly playing with it by putting it between their teeth etc.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

What do you do for a living? Cause I've been a professional piercer for the last 10 years and have been working in shops for the last 15! I've had over 27 piercings for the last 8 years and none of them secrete any fluid!

Really? I got my ear pierced twice 20 years ago. Safe to say it is "healed"... How bout you come on over and I will take out my earings.. you can then suck on my ear lobe and tell me if you taste or smell anything funny...

Healed skin shouldn't just randomly open up and secrete fluids. Lord, every scar on my body would be oozing.

The tongue is different, it's a big muscle, and even having the post out for some hours, it begins to heal right away.

hm... so your tongue piercing is fully healed to the point where it can not secrete fluids? But yet at the same time it mysteriously starts to "heal" and close up right away when the post is removed??? How does that work exactly?

Maybe the piercing expert can help answer this....

[littleindiangirl]

It does not secrete fluids lol. It is not an open oozing bleeding wound. The tongue is a muscle, muscle's heal very quickly. Especially one like the tongue that has so much blood supply. I don't know how to explain it any better.

Your ears can close up too, that does not mean the holes are not fully healed and not oozing or bleeding. But flesh is living, and it does try to make itself whole again, which I suspect is reason why so many skin piercings can be easily rejected by the body.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Are there any doctors in the house that can insert a little medical information here for the benefit of the discussion?

[771subliminal]

Since when did I sign up for myspace???lol. Jk. Tounge piercing are alright, but I would never get it done myself,just keep in mind jobs, and in laws(later on in life), and the aftermath. Chipped teeth, hole in the tongue, is this really worth it?

if your worried about chipped teeth you can get a barbell with plastic balls they will deform and break way b4 your teeth. you can take your barbell out for work if need be. and if your not getting one cuz of what your inlaws might think then your thinking the wrong way. if your inlaws dont like you cuz of a barbell in your mouth then they are not people you should want to be around. a barbell in your mouth doesnt change who you are as a person and thats all that matters.