Tongue piercings first became popular in the 1980’s when the availability of high quality, surgical steeltongue rings and other types of body jewelry were readily available for the first time. The tongue piercing is largely associated with the Gauntlet which was the first professional piercing studio in the United States and from which many extreme piercings emerged.  Jim Ward, found of the Gauntlet was known for promoting this piercing throughout his career.

When a tongue is pierced, it is done so with straight barbell style jewelry, rather than a ring. However, the term tongue ring has, over time, become the slang term used by many to describe the piercing. As the popularity of tongue piercings has grown, so has the variety of tongue rings available for individuals with such piercings.  Originally only metal balls, the decorative ends of tongue rings have evolved into everything from acrylic balls to soft plastic designs.  As a way to accommodate corporate Americans with a liking for this body jewelry, manufacturers have developed clear, flat and “no show” tongue rings. Others can enjoy neon, metal, glowing and shaped beads and balls.

Proper placement of tongue rings and proper care is essential to avoid infections and even damage to an individual’s gums and teeth.  The traditional and proper placement of a tongue ring is in the center of the tongue, near the center of the mouth. The tongue ring should be angled to slightly lean back from the teeth to make talking and eating easier. Although there are concerns about teeth damage, this can be avoided when the tongue piercing is carefully done and properly cleaned.  Other than a slight impact on the way a person talks for the first few days, there is only a very slight chance of any teeth, gum or tissue damage due to a tongue ring.

Piercings are good, temporary way for individuals to express themselves in a world in which places more and more value on being an individual and not a “follower”. With proper care and research, a tongue piercing can be a way for an individual to accomplish this.

• Earrings: Earrings are the most common and social acceptable forms of wearing body jewelry.  The oldest and original ear piercing is at the bottom of the lobe but individuals have become more creative and daring and now pierce up the sides of their ears and even on the inside.
• Navel: Navel piercings, also known as belly button rings have become nearly as popular and acceptable as earrings. As girls (and guys) wish to draw attention to their midsections, wearing an eye-catching piece of body jewelry around the naval has become extremely popular
• Nose: Nose piercings were once thought of to be only for the rebellious teens of the 1980’s, they are however, becoming more acceptable depending on the type and the placement. Wearing a small ring in the side of one’s nostril is less daring than it once was and it’s now becoming socially acceptable, even in the corporate world.
• Eyebrow: Another common way to wear body jewelry, the eyebrow piercing is popular among those in their late teens and early twenties. Barbells and hoops are common pieces to wear in this piercing.
• Tongue: Tongue piercings are another way to wear body jewelry that has gain popularity due to the ease in which you can hide the piercing.

Body jewelry is a popular way to express one’s self in a non-permanent matter. Many piercings are easily coverable, allowing a person to express themselves outside of the workplace while remaining professional during business hours.

Historically, the Aztecs, the Haida, Kwkiutul, Mayas of Central America and the Tlinglit tribes in the American Northwest had customs of body piercing.  It was often used as a form of self sacrifice or for religious reasons in these cultures.  Tongue rings were thought to be especially holy during these times because it was a way to draw blood to please the deities.

In Native American tribes, tongue piercings and other body jewelry were considered a way to bring people nearer to their gods through bleeding.  Aztec and Mayan tribes reportedly pierced their septum, a part of the nose, to appear fierce and intimidating to their enemies.  Rather than the modern day steel jewelry, they used bones, tusks and feathers as body jewelry.

Today, the tongue ring, as well as other body piercings are primarily for decorative reasons.  They are a means of self expression and personal decoration. The jewelry used is typically made from surgical steel and while it is often referred to as a tongue “ring,” it does not resemble the circular shape that it might imply.  In reality, it is a straight or curved barbell with a ball screwed to each end.  The ball on the bottom is often much smaller and used only to prevent the barbell from slipping out.  The ball on the top is used for decoration and expression

• Traditional Tongue Piercings

The most famous tongue piercing is the traditional tongue piercing. This tongue piercing goes directly through the top of the tongue and exits on the bottom side. This special piercing is also known for it’s increasing swelling after the initial piercing and swelling can last up to a week or more. Healing time is approximately one to two months.

• Tongue Exposed Piercings

Tongue surface piercings can be placed anywhere on the surface of the tongue, whether it be horizontally or vertically down the tongue. In addition to this, they can also be on either the top of the tongue, or the bottom of the tongue (which is often referred to as a lingum piercing,) or the tip of the tongue.

• Horizontal Tongue Piercings

Horizontal tongue piercings are fairly honest. They are a piercing that passes horizontally from the tongue whereas local tongue piercings corss vertically through the tongue. Sometimes, if not correctly pierced, a tongue ring in this piercing can interfere with eating, speech or both.

• Tongue Rim Piercings

A tongue rim piercings can be thought a variation of a tongue surface piercing. This piercing or group of piercings sits on the rim of the tongue. Generally, the wearer uses traditional tongue rings or types of captivating beads. Unfortunately, this piercing has been known to cause serious tooth damage if improperly placed.

• T-Bar Piercings

The T-Bar piercing is a little more complex than some other tongue piercing. This piercing takes a bit more time and wait than other tongue piercings because it needs two separate arrangements to meet someone. The first appointment is used for the piercer to insert the tongue ring used for piercing horizontally or vertically, based on the user’s preference.

After several weeks of becoming well, a second appointment will be required for a third hole to develop the ‘T’ appearance of the piercing. Custom body jewelry is inserted and the third piercing is screwed into the tongue ring barbell to form the desired ‘T’ shape.  From a viewing standpoint, the piercing appears as three separate tongue ring balls on the surface of the tongue.

• Tongue Web Piercings

The tongue web piercing is also somewhat self-explanatory. The piercing itself corsses through the webbing on the innerside of the tongue. Oftentimes, the wearer inserts either straight or curved body jewelry, sometimes using tongue rings with beads or rings.  Healing time is constantly sharp, as with most oral piercings.

Tongue ring piercings are becoming increasingly popular with younger generations. Tongue rings are comfortable to hide for work matters and socially accepted among their peers. It is not hard to determine why tongue rings and other body piercings are becoming more and more popular.