How to Remove a Tongue Ring If Drooling

Latex or nitrile gloves can help you get a better grip on a tongue barbell.

The jewelry worn in a tongue piercing is not actually a ring, but rather a barbell, with beads that unscrew from both ends. Because your tongue is frequently in motion, piercers screw the beads on tight when inserting a tongue barbell. Removing the beads yourself can be difficult, especially when you're drooling. Drying your tongue and wearing the same kind of gloves a body piercer wears can help you more easily remove the beads of your tongue barbell.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Paper towels
• Alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash
• Sterile gauze
• Latex or nitrile gloves

Instructions

1. Clean your hands and your mouth before touching your piercing. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and rinse your mouth with alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds.

2. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel and put on a fresh pair of latex or nitrile gloves.

3. Stick out your tongue and blot away the saliva with sterile gauze.

4. Hold the bottom bead of the tongue barbell with your thumb and forefinger. Use your other hand to twist the top barbell to the left until it comes unscrewed.

5. Pull on the lower bead to slide the barbell out of your tongue. Remove your gloves, wash the jewelry with antibacterial soap and dry it with another paper towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Tongue piercings close very quickly once the jewelry is removed. If your piercing is less than two years old, do not leave the jewelry out for more than a couple of hours.

• Do not attempt to change your tongue jewelry if the piercing is less than two months old. If you need a shorter bar once the swelling goes down, go to your piercer's shop and have her change it for you.

• If you suspect your tongue is infected, do not remove the jewelry. The hole must remain open for the infection to drain. Visit a piercer certified by the Association of Professional Piercers immediately. If you have a fever, go to a doctor.

References

• Infinite Body: Tongue Piercing FAQ
• "The Piercing Bible: The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing"; Elayne Angel; 2009
• Silverflake: Changing a Tongue Ring

Resources

• Association of Professional Piercers: Oral Aftercare for Minors