I had my tongue pierced for about 3 days now. The swelling is pretty bad but I can still talk a little bit. The food eating isn't that bad but I still smoke. I make dure to rinse my mouth after every cig and after everything I eat and drink... unless its water or ice. But I think I'm over washing it. And I just don't want my piercing anymore. I can barely sleep because the pain is so bad. Its only a little red around the area of the piercing but I still want it out or the pain to stop. Any advice?! Please help!!

I would absolutely take the thing out. Sounds horrible. A friend of mine got a tongue ring and she said it was pretty bad. Long story short, she doesn't have it now. Not worth it she said.

The problem is... I have been reading sites that say don't take it out and others that say I can. I don't know I'm so confused. I love the piercing but the pain is tooo much!

Listen, if it is infected, removing the jewlery can actually trap the infection inside, as the body heals wounds from the outside in. CEASE SMOKING NOW! The tiny particles get trapped in your tongue hole and this can begin or continue an infection.

DO NOT:
-eat spicy/acidic/salty foods for about 4 weeks
-SMOKE!!
-have oral sex/kiss/engage in any other activity that would create an exchange in bodily fluids for about 4-6 weeks
-use peroxide
-play with the piercing

Do:
-drink milkshakes! (really, helps with swelling and won't irritate the piercing site)
-rinse twice daily with a mix of distilled water and listerine (original) mouthwash for 15-20 seconds for two weeks
-buy a new (soft bristle prefferably) tooth brush