One reason you might not be able to get your tongue pierced yet is because of your location. Most states have an age limit on certain piercings. I live in Washington state, and here it's illegal EVEN WITH PARENT PERMISSION to get a piercing unless you are 16 years of age. I got my tongue pierced when I was fifteen, only because I went to a place that didn't check ID, and because my dad lied about my age so I could get it done.
Most piercing places won't let this happen. The first place I went to wouldn't do it because they wanted to see my ID to prove I'm 16, which I didn't have. If a law official were to find out that a piercing/tattoo parlor pierced your tongue while you were not of legal age, they could get into serious legal trouble.
Another reason is that even though your mother consented, she may want you to wait for a little while to make sure this is something you want, or to make sure you have the money to do it. When I got my tongue pierced it cost $93 USD. That was the cost of the piercing, the large barbell to have for the swelling that occurs for one to two weeks after the piercing, and a normal sized barbell to put in after the swelling was gone.
Yet another reason is that your father may not approve of you getting a piercing. My mother did not want me to get my tongue pierced, and my dad took me to do it. My mother also didn't want me to get my septum pierced, but I payed for it and my dad took me without her knowledge, so it wasn't really up to her. However she was quite upset both times I came home with these piercings.
When I got my tongue pierced it didn't really hurt. A lot of people say they can feel the needle going through all the layers of muscle, but I don't remember that. I just remember feeling a sort of pop when the needle broke through the other side, and it hurt a bit after that. I then drooled a lot, which is very common and will probably continue to happen while your tongue is swollen during healing, and even sometimes after it's healed.
Make sure that wherever you get your tongue pierced either uses new needles each time, or uses autoclave. You have legal right to ask them this, and if they use an autoclave ask to see it. If that's what they use, they have to show you if you ask. Your piercer should be wearing latex gloves. They should also have you rinse your mouth with mouthwash before they pierce and after. The piercing place will usually give you a pamphlet and/or instructions on how to care for your new piercing, and sometimes mouthwash to use too. But if they don't, keep these things in mind:
If you do get your tongue pierced, remember to take special care of your new piercing, especially during the first week. It'll be frustrating because the swelling will hurt some, and it will impare your speach and your ability to eat. But the swelling gradually goes down and is usually almost totally gone by seven days. I had no more swelling by the seventh day, and I was able to change my barbell to the smaller one after ten days as planned.
Also, try not to talk too much while you have swelling as it can make it worse. Be careful not to bite your tongue, and careful not to bite your barbell as it can chip your teeth. Check the balls every day to make sure they're screwed on tight (even after it's healed and you have the shorter barbell in). Rinse your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash after every time you eat or drink anything that isn't water while it's healing, and it's also good to continue to use mouthwash every time you brush even after your tongue is healed. Tom's Natural mouthwash is non-alcoholic, but it doesn't taste great. And I believe the brownish coloured Listerine is alcohol free as well.
After your piercing is healed remember to brush daily, and to brush around your piercing as well. Take your jewelry out only to change it, because if you take it out for more than a minute or two your piercing hole can shrink or close so you can't get your jewelry back in.
If one of the balls comes off your barbell, use a clean piece of pencil eraser on the end where the ball is missing until you can get a new ball. It sounds nasty, but it works. When buying new jewelry, make sure that it is either stainless surgical steel, gold, or silver, or something like that. Make sure it is not a metal you are allergic to. There are barbells made of all plastic, but those can be hard to find.
NEVER PIERCE YOUR TONGUE ON YOUR OWN. You could hit a major blood vessel and bleed to death. This is why we have professionals.
I hope you get something valuable from this. Be safe, and I hope you get your piercing.
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