Tongue Web Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Web piercing is becoming an increasingly popular tongue piercing. It places the piercing underneath the tongue on the piece of skin (frenulum) between the tongue and mouth. Tongue web piercing is quick to heal, low on the pain scale, and easy to hide or show off. Want to know more about web piercing? We have gathered your FAQs to provide information on the piercing process and aftercare for this piercing.

How painful is a web piercing?

Tongue web piercing pain varies for each person. Some rate it to be as painful as 5 out of 10 on the pain scale. While others say it doesn’t hurt that much and place it at 3 out of 10. The amount that your web piercing hurts will depend on each individual but most find this piercing not to be very painful because it is over quickly and is pierced through fairly thin tissue.

How long do tongue web piercings take to heal?

Tongue web piercings have a short healing time of 8-10 weeks. This quick healing time is due to the type of tissue that the web piercing is pierced through. Keeping the piercing clean will make sure your tongue web piercing heals quickly.

Can anyone get a tongue web piercing?

Unfortunately, not everyone can get a tongue web piercing. If you have a short tongue or have any anatomical factors that mean you aren’t able to stick out your tongue then you may not be a suitable candidate for a tongue web piercing. It is important to tell your piercer about any health conditions you have as certain nerve conditions make tongue web piercing riskier, therefore, your piercer may advise you to get a different piercing.

Does web piercing ruin your teeth?

The web piercing is less likely to ruin your teeth compared to the classic tongue piercing position. This is because the jewellery is smaller and will sit underneath the tongue making it less likely to rub or catch against your teeth. However, it is important to maintain good overall dental hygiene and keep the underside of your tongue fresh to reduce unwanted bacteria build up.

How long will my tongue web piercing hurt?

Your piercing may initially hurt for up to a week. After getting your tongue web piercing your tongue is likely to swell up which may cause it to feel uncomfortable and even hurt. You can help to relieve and reduce this by drinking cold drinks and eating soft cold food. Your piercing jewellery may initially hurt the underside of your tongue or bottom of your mouth as your body gets used to your new piercing. Generally, your piercing should not hurt for more than a week or two.

Can you eat after tongue web piercing?

You can eat after a tongue web piercing but you will need to be careful about which types of food you eat. Initially, you may find it difficult to eat as your tongue may swell. Sticking to cold drinks and soft cold food will help with swelling and healing. Avoid any strong foods such as spicy food and do not drink any carbonated drinks or alcohol for at least a week after getting your tongue web piercing as this may cause the piercing wound to reopen.

How long do web piercings last?

Web piercings on the tongue can last a lifetime but how long your tongue web piercing lasts may depend on the aftercare. Regularly cleaning your tongue piercing and avoiding spicy foods, smoking, alcohol, and kissing can help your piercing to heal quickly. In as little as 8-10 weeks your piercing should have settled into place. You may find over time the piercing starts to move and reject in which case it is best to consult your piercer on what to do.

What’s the point of the tongue web piercing?

The tongue web piercing is a popular piercing that carries the myth that the point of piercing the frenulum is to encourage the wearer to think before they speak. This is one of the more bizarre piercing myths and we simply think the point is to have a cool new body mod. There are many advantages to having a tongue web piercing compared to the classic tongue piercing. The web piercing can be hidden more easily which many find suits their lifestyle or job requirements better than a classic tongue piercing.

Can you smoke with a tongue web piercing?

We strongly advise not smoking after getting a tongue web piercing. In fact, we encourage people not to smoke after any oral piercing. The chemicals from the smoke, no matter what type of cigarette or E-cigarette you smoke, are not conducive to healing. They can easily introduce chemicals into your open wound, dry out your mouth, and slow down healing.

Are web piercings dangerous?

Many people ask ‘Is the tongue web piercing dangerous?’ Like any piercing, the tongue web piercing carries some risks that could present a danger to your health but many of the risks are based on how you care for your new piercing. Ensure good aftercare, and you can avoid infections which are a risk to your new piercing. Make sure to always see a professional piercer for web piercings. They are dangerous if you try to do them at home or get them done by someone who is not qualified as a piercer because there is a risk of injuring the saliva gland that is underneath the tongue.

Tongue web piercings have been popular since the 90s and are the perfect piercing for those who aren’t sure about getting the classic tongue piercing. Already healed your tongue web piercing? See your tongue web piercing jewellery options for plenty of ways to customise your look.

Want to know more about piercing at Blue Banana? Check out our Piercing Guides for more information and answers to your FAQs.

Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a tongue piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day. Please Note: Our stores do not offer this piercing due to the risks associated with web piercing.

Make sure to check the tongue piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the tongue piercing age restriction is 16 with the exception of Wales which is 18 (ID may be required). Tongue piercings are not available with parental consent.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the tongue piercing location.

Tongue piercings are usually pierced with a straight barbell. Your piercer will look at the underside of your tongue to make sure they are avoiding your saliva gland. Your piercer will pass a needle through the piercing site and then insert the jewellery.

Aftercare Advice

A tongue web piercing can take 8-10 weeks to fully heal. The exact healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure successful healing.

After the initial piercing, your tongue is likely to swell and can be quite sore. You may find that you experience more discomfort after piercing compared to other types of piercing. To relieve this eat and drink cool soft foods. Once the initial swelling has gone down you may find can eat more variety of foods but still take care to avoid spicy and sticky food, including chewing gum. During healing, avoid smoking and kissing as this may introduce unwanted bacteria into your piercing wound. Take care not to move your tongue more than is necessary.

When cleaning your tongue web piercing, swill a saltwater solution around your mouth twice a day. Ensure there is no food stuck around your piercing, regularly use mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene, and try to avoid touching your piercing while it heals.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to tongue web piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Tongue Web Piercing Bars
Tongue Web Piercing Barbell
Tongue Web Piercing Jewellery

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our tongue web piercing jewellery range. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – Make sure to find out from your piercer the size your tongue web piercing jewellery should be.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.

Web Piercing Jewellery

Web Piercing Jewellery

Piercing Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges