Are plastic or metal tongue bars better?

In addition to stressing careful hygiene, it’s important to recommend that patients choose plastic studs and piercings instead of metal. New research featured in the Journal of AdolescentHealth has found that stainless steel jewellery accumulates more bacteria than that made of plastics.

What size bar do I need for my tongue?

7/8-inch
A typical tongue piercing is done with a 14 gauge (14G) high grade titanium, or gold barbell measuring 7/8-inch. Note that’s the size of an initial tongue piercing; once healed the length of the barbell can be shortened.

Do tongue piercings stink?

Effects of Oral Piercings. With mouth jewelry, plaque get a new place to hide. It’s harder to brush around studs in the tongue or rings in the lips, so plaque can build up over time. If you don’t clean your oral piercing regularly, your breath can start to stink as a result.

What does tongue piercing represent?

The idea behind getting a tongue ring was to honor the Gods and by inflicting pain, showing one’s honor. Tongue piercing began as a religious practice more than an artistic or decorative practice.

Why shouldn’t you get your tongue pierced?

The American Dental Association recommends against tongue piercing. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the ADA recommends against tongue piercing because of risks including “swelling, bleeding, infection, chipped or damaged teeth, gingivial recession, lacerations/scarring, hypersalivation, etc.”

When should I change out my tongue piercing?

Changing Your Piercing Safely and Effectively. Wait 4 weeks before removing your initial piercing. Tongue piercings generally heal in about 4 weeks, though this varies from person to person. Do not try to change your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed.

Do tongue rings hold bacteria?

Tongue piercings — especially new ones — are more prone to infections than other piercings because of all the bacteria in your mouth.

Are plastic tongue bars better for your teeth?

The main benefit of BioFlex tongue bars is that they are soft and flexible. This means that they do not push against your teeth like a metal bar and you cannot chip your teeth on them. This would have prevented the problems experienced by the University at Buffalo patient or at least stopped them progressing so far.

Do tongue piercings cause gum recession?

A study found that between 40 and 50% of people with a lip piercing and 44% of people with a tongue piercing experience gum recession. In comparison, amongst adults without lip piercings, just 7% experience gum recession.