Everything You Need to Know About Tongue Piercing in 2025

Tongue piercing can never get old, from tribes to the recent 2025 trends, it is only growing due to its bold form for body modification. Now it is blending more into the lives of people than being only rebellious. From influencers to all piercers around the world, this year is all about tongue piercing. So if you are also wondering about it, this guide can help you prepare by covering everything you need to know about piercing tongue, pain level, healing and safety. Let's explore trendy tongue piercing jewellery.

Types of Tongue Piercings

A tongue piercing may sound like just one barbell jewellery inserted in, but it is versatile and has several styles to offer, with each being a different look and experience.

Standard Tongue Piercing: First and foremost are the standard ones and the most common type. It's a single vertical body piercing in the centre of the tongue. It's safe and heals quickly when done properly.

Horizontal Tongue Piercing: A little bit intricate but totally cool with its positioning on the tongue. A horizontal tongue piercing goes side-to-side across the tongue. It's more painful and takes longer to heal. Not all piercers offer it.

Venom Piercings: These are two separate vertical tongue piercings placed side-by-side. They resemble snake fangs and look cool, but they may cause more swelling. So, better discuss the option with your piercer before just randomly stepping into it.

Snake Eyes Piercing: This is a horizontal tongue bar placed near the tip of the tongue, under the surface. It looks unique but is highly controversial due to the risk of damaging teeth and restricting tongue movement. Most professionals do not recommend it.

Tongue Web Piercing: This is a less visible option where the piercing is done underneath the tongue. It's subtle and heals faster, but not everyone has the right anatomy for it. Always consult a certified piercer to choose what’s best for your anatomy.

How a Tongue Piercing Is Done

If you are visiting a certified piercer, they will check the underside of your tongue to avoid veins and find the safest spot to pierce. If everything is fine, anatomy-wise, the piercer will mark the area where the needle will go in and come out. Then, they’ll gently hold your tongue in place with a special tool to keep it still.

A clean, sharp hollow needle is used to make the hole. Make sure you double-check with the piercer about the sterilisation of the needles to avoid any complications in the future. The needle usually goes from the top of your tongue through to the bottom, or the other way around (depending on the type of piercing you have selected). This step is over in a few seconds.

After that, a barbell-shaped piece of jewellery is inserted in the hole. The bar is usually a bit longer at first to allow room for swelling (which is totally normal). You may notice your tongue swell up for a few days, but this can be managed by sucking on ice and eating soft foods like yoghurt or less hot soup.

Pain Level: Does a Tongue Piercing Hurt?

Does a tongue piercing hurt? It depends on the tolerance level, as most people rate the pain between 4 and 5 out of 10, but some experience more pain. Take it as accidentally biting your piercing a little harder but just for a moment, you will feel a sharp pinch or quick poke.  

How painful a tongue piercing is during the process depends on your tolerance, but the real challenge comes with aftercare. Due to swelling and tenderness. But there is a silver lining called piercing aftercare that can make the healing easy and very profound.

Healing Time & Aftercare

How long does a tongue piercing take to heal? Usually, 4 to 6 weeks. With proper care, you can speed things up. However, being patient and regular with the routine is what gets you out of the swelling phase quickly and easily.

To know how to heal a tongue piercing fast, you need to maintain excellent oral hygiene and avoid irritating the piercing site.

• Rinse your mouth with a saline solution after every meal and before going to bed.

• Use salt water (1/4 tsp in a cup of warm water) and rinse your mouth with it if you don't have store-bought saline solution or spray.

• Eat soft foods, avoid smoking, alcohol and spicy foods.

• Don’t play with your tongue ring or tongue bar. Usually, you will get a tongue bar initially.

Talking and eating might be tricky for a few days. Swelling is normal. If you notice signs of an infected tongue piercing (like pus, pain, or fever), see a doctor immediately.

Risks and Complications

While most tongue piercings heal well, they do carry some risks:

• Infected tongue piercing (due to bacteria in the mouth). You can avoid it a bit with a saline solution.

• Cracked teeth and gum damage. Go see a dentist to resolve these issues before getting a tongue piercing.

• Allergic reactions to cheap piercing jewellery. Use high-quality piercing jewellery made of premium surgical steel or titanium to avoid this problem.

• Nerve damage or speech changes. Though it is rare, it exists. Going to a professional piercing studio is better in all cases, including this one.

Best Jewellery for Tongue Piercings in 2025

Always start your tongue piercing journey with safe options like premium-quality piercing jewellery and a certified piercing studio near you.

You have several material options to start with, like:

• Titanium: Lightweight and hypoallergenic

• Stainless steel: Durable and affordable

• Gold: Fancy but expensive

The initial piercing type for the tongue is usually:

• Barbell: The standard jewellery for tongue.

• Bioflex: Flexible plastic, good for healing.

You will always get a larger size at the start to leave room for swelling and soreness. The beginner tongue piercing jewellery size:

• Starts with a longer bar (16mm) to accommodate swelling

• Downsizes to 12mm after healing

Buy from trusted piercing jewellery brands. Poor-quality tongue bars can cause infections or allergic reactions.

Cost of Tongue Piercing in 2025

In 2025, the cost of a tongue piercing typically ranges from $40 to $100, depending on the studio, piercer’s experience, and jewellery quality. This price often includes the initial jewellery, a basic cleaning solution, and an aftercare guide. While it might be tempting to go for cheaper options, extremely low prices can be a red flag for poor hygiene standards or low-quality materials.

Tongue Piercing Closing

How long does it take for a tongue piercing to close? As bad as it sounds, the closed piercing means all your efforts are down the drain. If you remove the jewellery too early, it can close within hours. Always follow your piercer's advice before changing the jewellery. Healed piercings may take days or weeks to close fully. So you will have some time to readjust it, but it is better to keep a premium jewellery inside and enjoy your tongue piercing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I talk after getting a tongue piercing?

Yes, but it may sound a bit unclear for a few days.

Can I remove it for a job interview?

Only after it’s fully healed. New piercings close quickly.

Is it reversible?

Yes. If you remove the jewellery, the hole closes over time.

How long does it take for a tongue piercing to close?

If unhealed, it can close in hours. A healed piercing may take weeks.

Is tongue piercing safe long-term?

Yes, with proper oral hygiene and quality jewellery.