Friday, November 20, 2009

What's your opinion on a 15 year old getting their tongue pierced?

Well, I just turned 15 last week and I wanted to get my tongue pierced tomorrow. My mom is totally against it, but my dad says that I can if I can pay for it (which I can) but I really don't want to go against what my mom says. What should I do? Please help me out. And please don't tell me I don't need to get my tongue pierced. I know all about the risks and everything that could happen becasue of it. Thanks Again!

What's your opinion on a 15 year old getting their tongue pierced?
Hey, well I'd say go for it. Its your body and you shoudl be able to do what you like with it :)





Talk to your mom about, find out why she's against it. Say that if she has a valid reason for you not getting it done, then you won't. If she just says its disgusting or you don;t need etc . . . then thats not a valid reason. If she says the risks, research the risks and say that its very unlikley that they'lll hit a nerve of whatever, and say that you will go to a professional. Please go to a professional anyway, they know what their doing :)





Make sure you know how to look after it, and buy lots of slushies, and cold drinks and ice lollies before hand. So that you will have somethign to eat afterwards, because someone people swell a lot an dthey can barely talk or eat afterwards. Also make sure they fit a long enough bar to accomodate for swelling. You may wnat to try numbing yoru tongue with ice before hand tooo, and I would recommend eating 2 hours before, so your not hungry straight afterwards and are actually able to eat. You'll probably be living off slushies and liquid for a few days :)





Good luck with your mom and your tongue piercing
Reply:If it's really important to you, then you should do it. But think about it: Do you want this because you want it as an individual? Or is it more because everyone else has one? And what about later in life... do you want a tongue piercing then? Also, would you really want to go against your mom's judgement? She knows a lot more about life than you do... Also, could you live with the guilt about going against your mom?





I'm not trying to lean you one way or another... I just want you to consider all of these things before you make a life decision. So, if you answered all of those questions AND have researched the consequences of tongue piercing and still feel like you want one, then go get one. It's your body.
Reply:I think you are too young because if it gets infected, then what are you going to do? Plus if you decide you don't like it the hole is still there and people might make fun of you because there is a hole in your tongue. But if is really important and really matters to you, then go ahead I don't really care, I'm just stating my opinion.
Reply:How long have you been wanting to get your tongue pierced? I think you should wait 6 months, then after that if you still want it then you should do it. Also, if you go against your mom it might cause problems, especially if your mom doens't want you to get it done but your dad said it's ok.. it might cause problems between them too.
Reply:NO!!!


Personally, I think that piercings anywhere except in the ears is not cute or hot. Every time you talk you show off a big piece of metal on your tongue. What's so cool about that? Plus, my cousin got his tongue pierced and he says its annoying when he is eating or chewing gum.


My answer is definitely NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:well i got my tongue pierced at 14 i believe..and of course my mom was against the whole thing at first but eventually she gave in!...lol but i believe u need a parents consent to get ur tongue pierced? and if ur dad says yeah then just do it! shes not gonna be mad forvever!...lol and if u dont like it u could easily take it out...but i dont think its such a big deal like half the people on hear make it seem...:P


P.s i still have it and im turning 20 in a few months
Reply:look i got my tongue pierced when i was 11 and i was horrible i had i done by my cuzin and it got all f uped and now i got a bump that never goes away.but if your 15 then i say jus do it cuz i would and i 16.you only live once screw you parents!!
Reply:If your dad say you can do it and you want to, then go for it.


I think it's just fine if a 15 year old has their tongue pierced.


Lots of them do so it's not anything unusual.


Do it!
Reply:well.... your tounge can easily get infected!|


and it will affect your teeth.


and yu cant talk rite till yu get used to it.


and honestly i dont think its to attractive


dont mean to bring yu down but i say no.
Reply:Go for it





Answer my pic one


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...
Reply:whats the rush,listen to your mum,if your sure its what you want wait untill your old enough not to need to ask your parents.
Reply:do what you want personally when i see people with their tongue pierced i think of them as being slutty
Reply:Do it.


It's a piercing, you can take it out...
Reply:whoa way too young for a tongue piercing!!
Reply:I would wait until you are sixteen or eighteen... Either way once you do your teeth are gonna go to hell....
Reply:It's ok
Reply:you do day gal
Reply:dont be emo
Reply:i got my tounge done at 14 ders nuffink wrong for it its your body do whateva u wan go crazy !!!!
Reply:honestly i would wait and till your 18 cause by then you can make your own mind up if you want it or if you don't. then you got to think about it this way to if you dad lets you and your mom says no they might end up fighting or they might end up not talking to each other and that wouldn't be good at all. its just like any other piercing it can get infected just as easy as any piercing honestly!.





* Comfortable: 3 days to 2 weeks


* Healing Time: 6 months


* Rinse frequently with warm salty water.


* Ask for your piercer's mobile phone number.


* Avoid putting anything dirty in your mouth and refrain from kissing and oral sex during the healing phase.


* Cold foods are best at first (e.g. ice-cream, milk shakes).


* Do not play with the jewelry against your teeth or press it into your gums.


* Never leave your jewelry out for more than a few hours during the first 6 months - the piercing may close.


* Take vitamin C and zinc to maximise your healing.


* To minimise swelling in the first few days, suck on ice-cubes and antibacterial/anti-inflammatory throat lozenges, and try not to talk too much.








Care Routine





* Day 1


1. Advice


Ask for the mobile phone number of your piercer. Misery is common during the first few days and you may worry about the swelling. I like to be available for re-assurance or advice.


2. Bleeding


The tongue has an excellent blood supply so expect some blood in your mouth during and just after the procedure.


3. Pain


You will experience some soreness for the first day or so. Paracetamol (e.g.Panadol, Tylenol) is an appropriate pain-reliever which may help you to sleep on the first night. Do not use aspirin as it promotes bleeding.





Days 2 - 5


1. Cold Drinks


Keep a supply of iced water on hand and sip this as required to reduce discomfort and swelling. Sucking ice cubes will also help.


2. Food


At this stage it may be difficult to talk and eat because your tongue will be swollen. It is important to maintain your food intake during the healing period. High-calorie foods (e.g. milkshakes, ice-cream) will keep up your energy levels – if you do not eat enough, the healing process may be delayed. Cold foods are better tolerated than hot foods.You should avoid anything spicy, or stringy foods that may get caught on your new piercing.


3. Mouthwashing


o Rinse your mouth with salty water as often as you like. The correct proportion is 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 ounces (250mls) of bottled water. Sea salt can be purchased from supermarkets or delicatessans. Do NOT use iodised salt as the iodine slows healing.


o Try sucking antibacterial/anti-inflammatory throat lozenges such as Difflam ® to reduce the swelling.


o Use a disinfectant mouthwash after eating:


+ Biotene ®


+ Listerine ®:It should be diluted to a quarter of the usual strength – otherwise the mouthwash will destroy your naturally occurring enzymes and kill the exposed healing tissues.


+ Oral_B ®


+ Rembrandt ®


+ Tech 2000


o If your tongue turns brown or green this is a sign that you should reduce the amount of mouthwash that you are using.


o Do not use mouthwashes or toothpastes containing peroxide.


4. Pain


After the first day you should not need any more pain relief.


5. Plaque


Buy a new soft bristle toothbrush. If any plaque forms on the jewelry itself, gently remove it with a toothbrush.


6. Swelling


You may experience some swelling on Day 1, but the worst swelling occurs during Days 2-4. The swelling often feels much worse than it really is. Ice and cold drinks will help reduce swelling. Hot foods, spicy foods, talking a lot will tend to increase the swelling.


7. Worry


It is common to feel a bit depressed and anxious at this time. As a doctor I very occasionally supply the patient with two diazepam 5mg tablets and ask the patient to take a quarter of a tablet night and morning. Diazepam is a muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety agent. It helps relax the muscles of the tongue and relax the patient. You should not drive if taking diazepam. If you are in a drug rehabilitation program you should discuss taking diazepam with your sponsor or doctor.








* Days 6 - 14


1. Changing Barbells


Your initial barbell is usually longer than the your tongue is thick, to accommodate swelling. After 5 - 10 days most people will see their piercer to fit a shorter bar.


2. Healing


A tongue piercing should be very comfortable after 2 weeks. However the piercing is not permanent till 6 months have elapsed. Don’t play with or chew on your piercing as this can lead to the formation of scar tissue.


3. Hygiene


Avoid putting anything dirty in your mouth and refrain from kissing and oral sex during the healing period.


4. Safety Check


You should check that the ball is firmly screwed on to the barbell about once a week. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing.


5. Warning


Never leave your piercing without jewelry for more than a few hours during the first 6 months! Even after this time a fully healed piercing may shrink, making it difficult to re-insert the jewelry.








Piercing Options and Jewelry Choices





* Suitable Positions


1. Midline Piercings


Correct Positioning is critical with tongue piercings. The correct place is in the midline, on the front third of the tongue far enough back so that the jewelry does not hit the teeth when speaking but not so far back that the piercing is stretched when swallowing or yawning. The further back the piercing the worse the swelling and pain during the first week.


2. Side Piercings


Piercings at the side of the tongue should only be undertaken by very experienced piercers.


3. Horizontal Piercings


These are very likely to cause nerve damage and are never recommended.





* Suitable Types


1. Bar bells


Internally threaded bar bells are better as they cause less damage when changing jewelry. If the bar is externally threaded, be very sure that no threads are exposed and avoid taking the jewelry in and out. Ask whether a range of balls and accessories is available as people like to wear different balls at different times e.g. fluoro balls when night-clubbing, clear balls at work. Jewelry is also available that is flesh coloured and inconspicuous.


2. Captured bead rings


Rings are sometimes used at the side of the tongue but are not recommended as a first tongue piercing.








* Suitable Sizes


1. Gauge


Only 14 gauge or heavier jewelry should be used. Smaller gauges will migrate out through the tongue and be very uncomfortable to wear.


2. Initial Barbell Length


5/8" to 7/8"


16mm to 22mm


3. Eventual Barbell length


7/16" to 5/8"


11mm to 16mm








* Suitable Materials


Surgical Stainless Steel, 18 carat gold, titanium, niobium.





* Changing Jewelry:


It is best to change jewelry during the two weeks, but this is best done by a professional piercer. After that time it should be easy to change jewelry yourself.








Other Issues





* Alcohol


Drinking alcohol decreases your co-ordination and increases the risk of biting your jewelry and cracking a tooth. If you do drink, choose low alcohol beverages such as beer or cider. Any drink with more than 10% alcohol is likely to hurt and will impair the healing process.





* Aspiration


Be aware that with tongue piercing, aspiration is a risk if the ball unscrews from the barbell and roles back down your throat into your windpipe. The ball may then lodge in your lungs. This is a medical emergency: Call an ambulance.





* Bacterial Infections


1. Infections are uncommon with tongue piercings. Avoid putting anything dirty into your mouth (e.g. chewing pens and fingernails).


2. Even though your mouth harbours more bacteria than any other part of your body, the washing action of your saliva and the enzymes it contains improves healing.


3. Refrain from kissing and oral sex during the healing period.


4. Symptoms of infection include increased pain, increased redness and an increase in the amount and thickness of the discharge. The infected discharge is usually thick and yellow, green or grey and may have an unusual odour. Consult with your physician or piercer and do not remove the jewelry until you seek advice.








* Cleaning


Expect to see white material collecting around the balls of your barbell. This is a sign of healing. Gently clean this material away with a soft toothbrush. Never use undiluted mouthwash or alcohol to clean your piercing. These will kill the healing flesh.





* Mouthwashes


I advise against the use of mouthwashes such as Listerine. After several days of frequent use the tongue surface usually turns green or brown and looks decidedly unhealthy. Please just use plain salty water.





* Smoking


Smoking is used as a method of cooking food. Smoked tongue is a delicacy in some cultures. Smoking your own tongue is your own personal choice. I cannot recommend it. Smoking slows healing by suppressing your immune system and blood circulation.


* Teeth


1. The most obvious risk of tongue piercing is chipped or broken teeth. This usua


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