Tongue Rings & Smoking
Are you a smoker who is thinking about getting your tongue pierced? Here are all the facts you need to know about smoking and tongue piercings, and why smoking after you get your tongue pierced might not be such a good idea.
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Precautions
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After you get your tongue pierced, there are some important precautions to take immediately afterward. The piercing must be cleaned twice a day with a salt solution. It is highly advisable that those who have recently pierced their tongues drink plenty of cold fluids to reduce the swelling, and those recently pierced should under no circumstances smoke.
Recovery
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Besides the immediate precautions, there are many steps to take for the six weeks after you've gotten your tongue ring to reduce the risk of infection. This includes avoiding smoking, oral sex and drinking alcohol.
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Risk Factors
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One of the reasons why it is so important to keep your mouth clean after getting a tongue ring is because it is so easy for bacteria from your mouth to travel into your bloodstream via the new piercing. Once the piercing has fully healed the person can return to smoking. However, smoking is never medically advisable.
More Likely to Smoke
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A study from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York showed that teens with body piercings are more likely to smoke, do drugs and engage in unhealthy and dangerous activity. It is crucial that people make sure that they can commit to six weeks without smoking before seeking out a tongue piercing.
Preparing for Your Piercing
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It is advisable to quit smoking before you get your tongue piercing. Don't plan to quit once you've had the piercing done. If you slip on your resolve to quit, you will be setting yourself up for infection and improper healing.
Alternatives
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If you don't think you can quit smoking long enough for the healing process required for a tongue ring, consider getting a fake tongue ring to achieve the same look. These magnetic piercings are widely available online, and can be used to fake a piercing on the navel, ears, lip and tongue.
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References
- Photo Credit woman with a stud image by forca from Fotolia.com not smoking sign.thank you for not smoking sign image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com tobacco image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
