3 Ways To Change A Tongue Piercing - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Replace a Tongue Piercing PDF download Download Article When can you take out your piercing? Will it get infected? Your questions, answered Co-authored by Stephanie Anders

Last Updated: May 17, 2024 Approved

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  • Switching Out a Barbell
    • |
  • Replacing Your Labret Stud
    • |
  • Changing Your Piercing Safely and Effectively
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Anders. Stephanie Anders is a jeweler and piercer based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of piercing experience, Stephanie opened her first tattoo and piercing studio in 2016. With her experience in the body piercing industry and creative passion for fine jewelry, she later founded SXO Studios and created a fine jewelry line that is safe for piercing. Stephanie has also traveled and worked with clients all over the world, with her client list including such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 184,701 times.

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Switching Out a Barbell

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  1. Step 1 Wash your hands. 1 Wash your hands. 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. Step 2 Rinse your mouth. 2 Rinse your mouth. 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. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Position yourself in front of a large mirror to help guide you. 3 Position yourself in front of a large mirror to help guide you. 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. Step 4 Stick out your tongue. 4 Stick out your tongue. 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. Step 5 Hold one ball of the barbell. 5 Hold one ball of the barbell. 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. Step 6 Unscrew the other ball of the barbell. 6 Unscrew the other ball of the barbell. 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. Step 7 Remove the barbell. 7 Remove the barbell. 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. Step 8 Reverse the process to put in a new piercing. 8 Reverse the process to put in a new piercing. 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.
    9. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Replacing Your Labret Stud

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  1. Step 1 Clean your hands and mouth. 1 Clean your hands and mouth. 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. Step 2 Bite down on the back of the stud firmly but slowly. 2 Bite down on the back of the stud firmly but slowly. 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. Step 3 Place the base of the piercing on your thumb. 3 Place the base of the piercing on your thumb. 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. Step 4 Unscrew the ball counter-clockwise. 4 Unscrew the ball counter-clockwise. Use your other hand to unscrew the ball to the left, or clockwise.
  5. Step 5 Remove the bar from your tongue. 5 Remove the bar from your tongue. 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. Step 6 Insert your new piece of jewelry through the piercing. 6 Insert your new piece of jewelry through the piercing. 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.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Changing Your Piercing Safely and Effectively

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  1. Step 1 Wait 4 weeks before removing your initial piercing. 1 Wait 4 weeks before removing your initial piercing. 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. Step 2 Replace your piercing in one sitting. 2 Replace your piercing in one sitting. 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. Step 3 Choose a piercing that fits your tongue. 3 Choose a piercing that fits your tongue. 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. Step 4 Use titanium or surgical steel jewelry. 4 Use titanium or surgical steel jewelry. 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. Step 5 Switch to a labret or retainer only once your piercing is fully healed. 5 Switch to a labret or retainer only once your piercing is fully healed. 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. Step 6 See your piercer for help changing your jewelry. 6 See your piercer for help changing your jewelry. 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. Step 7 See your doctor if you have swelling, redness, or discharge. 7 See your doctor if you have swelling, redness, or discharge. 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
    8. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What can I eat after just getting my tongue pierced? Stephanie Anders Stephanie Anders Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing Stephanie Anders is a jeweler and piercer based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of piercing experience, Stephanie opened her first tattoo and piercing studio in 2016. With her experience in the body piercing industry and creative passion for fine jewelry, she later founded SXO Studios and created a fine jewelry line that is safe for piercing. Stephanie has also traveled and worked with clients all over the world, with her client list including such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne. Stephanie Anders 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 3
  • Question When can I eat bread after a tongue piercing? Community Answer Community Answer Wait at least 24 hours after the piercing just to be safe. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 7
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

  • Screw the balls on clockwise and off counter-clockwise. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Keep the same gauge when replacing your piercing; otherwise it might be painful and ill-fitting. Use 14-gauge or higher. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Leaving tongue jewelry out for any length of time risks the hole closing very fast, even for experienced, long-term wearers. Thanks Helpful 14 Not Helpful 5
  • Do not pierce yourself; unless you are professionally trained, always seek a professional. Thanks Helpful 18 Not Helpful 8
  • Do not force a piercing into a hole that has begun re-healing, as this can cause serious or permanent damage. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
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References

  1. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  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
More References (5)
  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

About This Article

Stephanie Anders Co-authored by: Stephanie Anders Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing This article was co-authored by Stephanie Anders. Stephanie Anders is a jeweler and piercer based in Los Angeles, California. With over 10 years of piercing experience, Stephanie opened her first tattoo and piercing studio in 2016. With her experience in the body piercing industry and creative passion for fine jewelry, she later founded SXO Studios and created a fine jewelry line that is safe for piercing. Stephanie has also traveled and worked with clients all over the world, with her client list including such stars as Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sharon Osbourne. This article has been viewed 184,701 times. 5 votes - 56% Co-authors: 13 Updated: May 17, 2024 Views: 184,701 Categories: Piercings In other languages Spanish Russian German
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 184,701 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Aug 17, 2016

    "Knowledge of if I could remove the ring to clean it myself is important to me."
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Stephanie Anders Co-authored by: Stephanie Anders Owner, Royal Heritage Tattoo and Piercing 5 votes - 56% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 13 Updated: May 17, 2024 Views: 184,701 Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 17, 2016

"Knowledge of if I could remove the ring to clean it myself is important to me." Chloe Gaffney

Chloe Gaffney

Aug 3, 2016

"I was unsure what way the ball came off and which way to pull the bar through." Anonymous

Anonymous

Aug 26, 2016

"Pictures helped. A video, however, would be more useful." Tammi Evans

Tammi Evans

Jan 24, 2017

"Just honest advice and more than one option helped." Anonymous

Anonymous

Sep 13, 2016

"Helped me learn how to change my piercing." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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