What to Expect During Each Stage of Your Tongue Piercing Healing Process

A tongue piercing generally requires around six to eight weeks to fully heal. That said, the exact recovery period depends entirely on how you look after the new piercing. Contact your physician if you notice any signs of infection.

Continue reading to learn which symptoms are common during healing, how aftercare changes from week to week, when it’s safe to swap out your jewelry, and more.

Common symptoms and aftercare timeline

Good aftercare is essential for a successful tongue piercing. Much of the outcome hinges on the piercing’s placement and whether you have multiple fresh piercings.

Although most intensive aftercare happens during the first few weeks, you should maintain daily cleanings until the site is completely healed. After healing, you’ll still want to clean the area, but you can be less strict about frequency.

Days 1–4

Some swelling is expected — your tongue has been pierced after all. However, the swelling shouldn’t prevent you from drinking fluids or speaking.

Be cautious with food choices since particles can catch on the jewelry and cause discomfort. Soft, bland options like applesauce and yogurt are ideal.

Avoid French kissing and oral sex during this period.

Rinsing with saline can help reduce pain and swelling. Your piercer might sell ready-made solutions, or you can prepare a mild saline rinse at home. Use it several times a day initially to promote healing.

Days 5–6

Pain and swelling should begin to ease by the end of the first week. Eating may become easier, but it’s wise to continue with soft foods for now.

Keep using saline rinses and refrain from prolonged close contact with others.

Days 7–9

By this stage most of the pain and swelling should have resolved. You can try firmer, crunchier foods cautiously. If discomfort returns, revert to soft foods for a while longer.

Steer clear of very hot drinks, as heat can provoke more swelling.

When possible, rinse with salt water after meals and drinks to help prevent debris and irritants from trapping around the jewelry.

Days 10–41

By day 10 the piercing might appear fully healed, but the underlying tissue still needs several more weeks to finish repairing.

You can generally resume most foods by now, though spicy items may still irritate the wound.

Reduce saline rinses to twice daily — ideally morning and evening — after brushing your teeth.

Days 42–56

This period is the final phase of healing for a tongue piercing. Continue saline rinses and maintain regular brushing and flossing.

At this point you shouldn’t have ongoing pain or swelling, though some foods may still irritate the area. Persistent symptoms beyond this window could indicate infection or a poorly performed piercing.

Once your piercer clears you, you can return to your usual routines: eat freely, resume sexual intimacy, and change jewelry.

Keep in mind that even after the eight-week mark, you should take sensible precautions to preserve your piercing’s long-term health.

When can you change the jewelry?

The initial barbell or stud used for the piercing might not be your preferred style, but it’s important to leave it in place for the full eight weeks.

Removing the jewelry too early raises the chance of tearing and infection. The hole can also start to close if the jewelry is taken out prematurely.

When it’s time to switch jewelry, visit your piercer. They can safely remove the original piece and demonstrate the correct technique for inserting new jewelry.

Do’s and don’ts during healing

To ensure proper healing, follow some basic rules.

Do:

• brush your teeth twice daily
• floss every day
• use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• choose an alcohol-free mouthwash
• watch for signs of complications, especially infection

Don’t:

• use tongue scrapers
• fiddle with the jewelry
• engage in French kissing or oral sex until fully healed
• play contact sports while wearing the jewelry
• smoke or consume alcohol during recovery

Long-term care advice

Even after your tongue piercing has healed, ongoing oral hygiene remains important. You can stop saline rinses, but continue regular cleaning to avoid issues.

Pick high-quality jewelry for long-term wear — materials such as surgical steel, titanium, or 14K gold are preferable. Lower-grade metals are more likely to provoke allergic reactions or infections.

Keep up with routine dental visits while you have a tongue piercing. Piercings can increase the risk of cuts, tooth damage, and gum recession over time. Your dentist can track changes and help prevent or address damage linked to the piercing.

Warning signs to monitor

Although tongue piercings often heal faster than other body piercings, they’re still prone to infection. Factors like poor-quality jewelry, manipulating the piercing, and inadequate cleaning raise your risk.

See a doctor if you notice:

• severe pain
• marked swelling
• redness around the site
• drainage from the piercing
• unusual odors

A physician will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading.

Do not remove the jewelry while an infection is active. Taking it out can trap bacteria inside the wound and cause further complications.

If you plan to let the piercing close or want to change jewelry, wait until the infection has fully resolved.

When to contact your doctor

New piercings often bring up many questions, and tongue piercings are particularly delicate. Your piercer can answer questions about placement, aftercare, and healing time.

However, if you suspect an infection you should seek medical care rather than relying on your piercer. Call your doctor if you have signs of an infection or experience intense discomfort.