How to Eat with a Tongue Piercing

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A tongue piercing takes about three to four weeks to heal. During that time, it's important to watch what you eat and how you eat it. You'll have to stick to softer, blander foods and chew slowly. [1] Even with proper precautions, however, complications can occur. If you notice signs of an infection, contact your piercer right away.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Piercing Friendly Foods

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    Your tongue may be very sore after the initial piercing. It's a good idea to stick to an exclusively liquid diet at this point. Aim for foods like broths and apple sauce. You can also try things like smoothies and yogurt if you find solid foods bother you.
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    Once some of the initial pain passes, you can transition back into eating soft, bland foods. Stick to things like Jell-O, ice cream, and even baby foods. Warmer soft foods, like mashed potatoes, can be safe if they don't bother you. Remember to stay away from spicy and seasoned foods, too. [2] Some people have a limited tolerance for warm foods while their tongue piercing is healing.
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    Hot coffees and teas can aggravate a tongue piercing, so stick to cool beverages during the healing process. If you're a coffee drinker, try swapping out your hot coffee for iced coffee while pain persists. [3]
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    Very spicy or acidic foods should be generally avoided. They can cause pain if they get into an open wound. Stay away from spicy dishes and avoid acidic foods like citrus fruits. [4]
    • If your pain starts to subside, introduce these kinds of foods back into your diet very slowly.
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    Anything that's hard to chew is best to avoid while you're healing from a tongue piercing, as such foods can get lodged in your wound and damage the piercing. Hard foods and chewy foods, like nuts or things like caramel, should be strictly avoided while you heal from a piercing. [5]
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    Tongue piercings usually heal within three to four weeks with proper care. Within this timeframe, pain should begin to subside. At this point, you can start transitioning back into your normal eating habits. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Eating Carefully

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    If you're in a hurry to eat, you're more likely to aggravate your piercing. While your piercing is healing, eat small meals only when you have the time to sit down and eat slowly. [7]
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    Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water. Then, reach into your mouth and tighten the beads on your piercing. Beads can become dislodged when you chew, so tightening them is necessary to keep your piercing from becoming undone.
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    Chewing too fast increases the risk of complications. Make slow, deliberate chewing motions when eating with your piercing. Make sure to feel where the food is in your mouth and work to keep it away from your piercing. [8]
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    Disposable silverware, when taken directly out of the package, is less likely to harbor bacteria than regular silverware. If you use silverware, go for disposable varieties to reduce the risk of an infection. Use new disposable silverware every time you eat. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Dealing with Complications

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    People sometimes accidentally swallow a bead or other part of their piercing when eating. Usually, the beads are small enough that they pass without complication. However, it's always a good idea to contact a doctor just in case.
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    Even with proper precautions, infections do happen. The following are common signs of an infection: [10]
    • White, yellow, or brown discharge.
    • Swelling.
    • Redness.
    • Intense pain.
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    A piercer may be able to help you out by recommending ointments. Call your piercer right away as soon as you notice signs of an infection so they can help you clear it up. If the infection is serious, the piercer may recommend you see a doctor to get it treated. [11]
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References

  1. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
  2. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
  3. ↑ https://www.cieh.org/media/1975/tattoo-toolkit_part-c_03-oral-piercing-aftercare.pdf
  4. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
  5. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  6. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 December 2019.
  7. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  8. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  9. ↑ https://www.torbay.gov.uk/business/licensing/skin-piercing-acupuncture-and-tattooing/oral-piercing-aftercare/
  1. ↑ https://www.torbay.gov.uk/business/licensing/skin-piercing-acupuncture-and-tattooing/oral-piercing-aftercare/
  2. ↑ https://www.cieh.org/media/1975/tattoo-toolkit_part-c_03-oral-piercing-aftercare.pdf

About This Article

Article Summary X

To eat with a tongue piercing, start with liquids like broths, smoothies, yogurt, and applesauce. As the soreness from the piercing subsides, try soft, bland foods like ice cream, baby foods, and mashed potatoes. Additionally, keep your drinks cold at first as hot liquids can aggravate your piercing. You’ll also want to avoid spicy or acidic foods, as well as crunchy or overly chewy foods, as they can cause pain if they get into the wound. To learn how long you should wait before resuming normal eating habits after having your tongue pierced, keep reading!

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    Aug 2, 2017

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