Opens a new windowYou rarely ever see an actual ring in a tongue piercing--although it isn't an impossibility, as you can see in the photo to the right--yet most people refer to the body jewelry worn in tongue piercings as "tongue rings". Why? Possibly because "tongue rings" rolls off the tongue more smoothly than "tongue barbells" (pun intended). However the phrase came about, most people know that when someone says "tongue ring", they're actually talking about a straight tongue barbell. A single tongue piercing consists of a single straight barbell through the center of the tongue. To avoid damaging the nerve system, tongue rings are generally placed vertically at the center of the tongue, in front of the "webbing" or lingual frenulum, which attaches the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. Alternately, pairs of "snake bite" piercings could be done on either side of the center, giving the appearance of fangs. "Venom piercings" are a pair of tongue rings set slightly further back on the tongue that are less likely to damage the teeth. Depending on the type of tongue piercing you choose, you may need 1 or 2 tongue barbellsOpens a new window. Some people may even have 3 or 4 tongue piercings and need additional barbells, which you can find in the Straight BarbellsOpens a new window section of our site.

Starter Tongue Barbells

When you first get your tongue pierced, your piercer will likely outfit you with an overly-long tongue barbellOpens a new window to allow room for swelling. If your starter tongue barbell is too short, causing the top and bottom balls to press into your tongue, that pressure can lead to necrosis (i.e. tissue death), which can eventually cause infection if it continues for too long. Ideally, you should keep your extra-long starter tongue barbell in for at least 4-6 weeks, so you're past the point where you're likely to have significant swelling. Even after that point, you may occasionally have swelling if food particles get trapped in your fistula (i.e. hole where you were pierced), your tongue barbell gets roughly pushed around when you're eating, or even for no apparent reason. However, once you've had your tongue pierced for at least a month with no recurring issues, you should be able to safely switch to a shorter tongue barbell. You should have your piercer help you the first time you change your tongue piercing jewelry. Your tongue will likely still be sensitive and easily irritated, so you want to make the switch as quickly and smoothly as possible--something an experienced professional will be able to do more easily than you could do on your own. You can either buy a new barbell from your piercer, or you can take one in with you and have your piercer sterilize it in an autoclave before inserting it for you. Note that there may be a small fee to change your jewelry if you don't purchase your new barbell from your piercer, but you'll have a lot more options if you buy your tongue ring online... especially if you get one from Painful Pleasures!

Tongue Ring Options

We have one of the world's largest selections of tongue ringsOpens a new window, with more choices for style, length and gauge combinations than you'll find nearly anywhere else online. We offer many of our tongue rings in any gauge and in lengths ranging from 1/4" - 2". With the hundreds of straight barbells we offer and the almost limitless ways you can customize them by choosing the length, gauge, balls or other endsOpens a new window, and material you prefer, you're sure to find a tongue ring you'll love and that will fit you perfectly. We can even sterilize your new tongue barbellOpens a new window, so it's ready to insert as soon as you receive it. Peruse some of our favorite tongue rings and tongue barbell ends below, or view all of our straight barbellsOpens a new window now.

Tongue Barbell Ends

If you want to customize your tongue barbell but don't want to change the whole thing, just replace the balls with our cool tongue ring ends! Opens a new windowTitanium colored ballsOpens a new window Opens a new window Jewel ballsOpens a new window Opens a new window Titanium colored jewel ballsOpens a new window Opens a new windowJeweled eye skullsOpens a new window Opens a new window Titanium colored conesOpens a new window Opens a new windowFlat disc endsOpens a new window Opens a new window Multi jewel ballsOpens a new window Opens a new windowHalf ballsOpens a new window Opens a new windowDisco jewel ballsOpens a new window

Tongue Barbells

Looking for a cool new tongue ring to replace your starter tongue barbell? Check out our most unique tongue ring options below! Opens a new windowNFL Tongue ringsOpens a new window Opens a new windowStar tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowHex spike top talon tongue ringsOpens a new window Opens a new windowSingle disc jewel tongue ringsOpens a new window Opens a new windowPicture logo tongue ringsOpens a new window Opens a new windowLogo dice tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowEmoticon smiley face tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowJewel top slave knocker tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowGypsy jeweled straight barbell tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowOrbital jeweled straight barbell tongue ringOpens a new window Opens a new windowDumbbell top straight barbell tongue ringOpens a new window

Choosing the Right Size & Style Tongue Ring

If your current tongue ring is the right fit for your mouth, you want to make sure any new tongue rings you buy are the same length. When measuring your tongue barbell, be sure to measure between the balls; don't measure the entire length of the jewelry from end-to-end with the balls on, and don't measure the threading. Opens a new windowOnly the part that will be in your tongue piercing needs to be measured. If your current barbell is a little too long for you, you might want to try getting a barbell that's just a fraction of an inch shorter. Until you find the perfect length barbell for your mouth, you might even consider buying a few shafts in varying lengthsOpens a new window that you can mix and match with your favorite balls or other ends. We recommend purchasing internally-threaded straight barbells for tongue piercings, because an externally-threaded barbell can scrape the fistula when you insert it in your tongue piercing. In terms of material, stainless steel Opens a new windowand titaniumOpens a new window are your best choices, because they're the most inert metals and the least likely to cause an allergic reaction. If you're concerned about chipping your teeth or causing your gum line to recede by wearing a metal barbell, you might consider getting a PTFE flexible tongue ringOpens a new window or an acrylic tongue ring (i.e. a metal shaft with acrylic ends).Opens a new window There are a couple ways you can pick the right tongue ring for you. You can either choose from one of our preset tongue ringOpens a new window options, or you can buy parts to come up with a truly custom tongue ring. There are SO many different types of balls and other endsOpens a new window to choose from; why not pick a few of your favorites and mix and match with a standard shaftOpens a new window to come up with your perfect tongue ring? (Note: You may also want to purchase a couple converter pieces to change our 14g externally-threaded shaftsOpens a new window into internally-threaded ones that won't scrape your fistula and that can be paired with our hundreds of tops for internally threaded 14g body jewelryOpens a new window.) Here are a few links to specific types of tongue rings and accessories you might be interested in seeing: Clear Tongue Ring RetainerOpens a new window Pink Tongue Ring RetainersOpens a new window Picture Logo Tongue RingsOpens a new window Jeweled Tongue RingsOpens a new window Happy Shopping!