How to Replace a Tongue Piercing

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When can you take out your piercing? Will it get infected? Your questions, answered
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Congrats on the new piercing! You just got your tongue stud and you're ready to rock some new jewelry to show off your personal style. But before you go changing that basic barbell for a flashier bit of hardware, there are some things you should know. We'll fill you in on how to switch out a barbell or labret stud, as well as answer some of your burning health and safety questions.

What's the proper way to change a tongue piercing?

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and rinse your mouth with saline solution.
  • Stick out your tongue as far as possible and gently grab the underside of the piercing.
  • Unscrew the top cap of the piercing, and place it somewhere clean and safe.
  • Insert the new, sterilized jewelry from the bottom up, and gently screw on the cap.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Switching Out a Barbell

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  1. Your hands should be clean to handle a piercing, even after it heals. Wash your hands with clean water and antibacterial soap. [1] Dry your hands well afterwards – dry hands allow you to gain a better grip so that the piercing doesn't slip out of your fingers.
  2. Rinse your mouth with a saline solution – use a mixture of warm water and salt (warm water will dissolve salt better than cold water). You can also use an anti-bacterial mouthwash, if your piercing is healed.
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  3. Once you get used to changing your piercing you can do it without looking. For now, however, it will help to be able to see what you’re doing.
  4. Stick your tongue out as far as you can – this will minimize your risk of swallowing part of the piercing if you drop it.
    • If you’re changing your piercing over the sink, close the drain first so you don’t lose any parts you drop.
  5. Grasp the ball on the bottom of your tongue with your non-dominant hand. Hold it steady. If you can’t get a good grip, try holding it with a piece of paper towel or clean cloth. [2]
    • Some barbells have balls that only unscrew on one end, and others have two balls that can unscrew. Know which one yours is before trying to change your piercing, so you know which ball to unscrew.
  6. Twist the top ball to the left with your dominant hand. Unscrew it completely and remove it from the barbell. Be careful not to swallow any piece of your jewelry. [3]
  7. Gently slide the barbell out of your tongue, removing the entire piece of jewelry. [4] If you’re doing this in the bathroom, be sure you don’t accidentally drop it down the sink drain.
  8. Insert your new piece of jewelry through the piercing. Do this right away so your piercing doesn’t start to close up. Make sure both balls are screwed on tightly. [5]
    • If the piercing hole feels tight, swish some warm to hot water in your mouth; this may loosen your piercing up and make inserting the new jewelry easier.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Replacing Your Labret Stud

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  1. Follow the above procedure to clean your mouth and wash your hands before handling your piercing. It’s important to keep your hands and jewelry clean even after your piercing heals.
  2. Be careful not to harm your teeth! Clamp down on the back of the labret slowly. Keep this position to hold the stud in place.
  3. Stabilize the flat, bottom part of the labret with your thumb, beneath your tongue. Carefully hold your tongue piercing atop your tongue with your index and middle finger on either side of the bar. This will hold it steady and also ensure the bar does not slip out of the tongue in the process.
  4. Use your other hand to unscrew the ball to the left, or clockwise.
  5. Do so without letting it drop into your mouth or out of your hands.
    • If you are struggling, it is best to get professional help. Do not tug at your piercing; this risks damaging your tongue.
  6. Do this right away so your piercing doesn’t start to close up. Make sure the ball is screwed on tightly. [6]
    • Consult a professional piercing artist as soon as possible if you lose part of your piercing; they can re-pierce any closed holes.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Changing Your Piercing Safely and Effectively

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  1. Tongue piercings generally heal in about 4 weeks, though this varies from person to person. [7] Do not try to change your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed. This can cause pain, damage, and your piercing may close up.
  2. Do not take out your piercing without replacing it. Tongue piercings can close up very quickly, even after they heal. If you take out your jewelry, put a new one in its place right away. [8]
  3. Your tongue swells when you get it pierced, so the bar you were pierced with is extra long. When the swelling goes down, you can use shorter bars. [9] Once your initial swelling goes down and your piercing is healed enough, change your barbell to a shorter one that sits more snugly on your tongue. This will probably be more comfortable and less obtrusive. [10]
    • It’s best to have a professional piercer help you choose the right length barbell for your tongue.
  4. When you change your piercing, continue to use high-quality jewelry made out of titanium or surgical steel. These are sturdy and safer than cheap jewelry, which can cause an allergic reaction. [11]
    • Use titanium if you have had allergic reactions to jewelry – it’s the least likely to cause a reaction.
    • 14- to 18-carat gold and other hypoallergenic products can also be a good choice for sensitive skin. [12]
  5. It can be helpful to wear a retainer to keep your piercing open if you work in a professional environment that discourages piercings. Only use one of these once your piercing has fully healed. The same goes for switching from a barbell to a labret stud. [13]
    • It’s usually safe to start experimenting with jewelry after about a month. This varies from person to person, however.
  6. If possible, return to the person who originally did your piercing; otherwise, see another trained professional. They can tell you whether or not it is a suitable time to change your piercing, and can help you choose the right length of jewelry to use. They may use pliers adapted to remove the ball from the ring; it's not recommended that you try to do this yourself.
  7. Changing your jewelry can introduce bacteria to your piercing if your hands or jewelry aren’t clean. See your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection, including: [14]
    • Swelling in your tongue (after the initial few days of swelling)
    • Redness
    • Discharge
    • Discoloration or red streaks
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can I eat after just getting my tongue pierced?
    Stephanie Anders
    Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
    Stephanie Anders is the Owner and Head Piercer at Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing, a tattoo and piercing studio located in Los Angeles, California. Stephanie has over 10 years of piercing experience and her client list includes such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne.
    Stephanie Anders
    Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing
    Expert Answer
    Soft foods. Stay away from spicy foods, salty foods, and citrus foods since they can cause irritation and swelling. Try starting with cold smoothies or ice cream. Also, rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash each time you're finished eating.
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  • Question
    When can I eat bread after a tongue piercing?
    Community Answer
    Wait at least 24 hours after the piercing just to be safe.
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      Tips

      • Screw the balls on clockwise and off counter-clockwise.
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      • Keep the same gauge when replacing your piercing; otherwise it might be painful and ill-fitting. Use 14-gauge or higher.
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      Warnings

      • Leaving tongue jewelry out for any length of time risks the hole closing very fast, even for experienced, long-term wearers.
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      • Do not pierce yourself; unless you are professionally trained, always seek a professional.
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      • Do not force a piercing into a hole that has begun re-healing, as this can cause serious or permanent damage.
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      References

      1. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      3. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      4. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      5. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      6. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      7. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/body_piercing_aftercare/healing-times/
      8. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/Tongue-Piercing
      9. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/Tongue-Piercing
      1. ↑ https://www.infinitebody.com/oral-2/tongue-faq/
      2. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/Tongue-Piercing
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/piercings/art-20047317?pg=2
      4. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/Tongue-Piercing
      5. ↑ https://tatring.com/piercing-types/Tongue-Piercing

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