Top Beauty & Self-Care Procedures to Try

September 2, 2025

How Much Is a Tongue Piercing? Average Costs, Canadian Pricing, and How Painful It Really Is

Everyone asks the same first question before booking: how much is a tongue piercing? Price matters, but so do safety, healing time, and who’s holding the needle. This guide breaks down real pricing for Mississauga, ON, explains what influences the total at checkout, and sets clear expectations for pain, swelling, and aftercare. It’s written by people who do this every day, with a focus on what locals actually want to know before walking into a studio.

What a tongue piercing costs in Mississauga right now

In Mississauga and the GTA, a standard midline tongue piercing typically runs $65 to $95 for the piercing fee only. Jewelry is a separate line item. Expect total out-the-door pricing in the $95 to $170 range depending on jewelry material and style.

Studios that use implant-grade jewelry and strict sterilization generally sit in the middle to higher end of that range. If you’re quoted under $60 including jewelry, ask questions about sterilization, materials, and aftercare. Cheap can turn tongue piercing Mississauga costly fast if it means poor-quality jewelry or loose hygiene practices.

At Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing in Mississauga, most clients choose implant-grade titanium jewelry. With the initial long barbell for swelling and a downsize appointment included, total pricing usually lands between $115 and $160 before tax. A straightforward appointment with basic titanium often stays closer to the low end. Upgrades like gold tops or decorative ends add to the total.

Why the price varies from studio to studio

Three factors drive most of the difference:

  • Jewelry material and brand: Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) and solid 14k or 18k gold cost more than surgical steel or unknown alloys. They’re safer for most mouths, especially if someone is sensitive to nickel. Reputable jewelry brands also control thread quality, polishing, and surface finish, which helps healing.

  • Experience and sterilization: You’re paying for the piercer’s hands, training, and time. A veteran piercer with thousands of tongue piercings behind them will work cleanly, place accurately, and walk through risks. Sterilization adds real cost too: single-use needles, medical-grade surface disinfection, ultrasonic cleaning, and a Class B autoclave all show up in overhead.

  • Aftercare and downsizing: A good studio will book a free or low-cost downsize once swelling drops, usually between two and four weeks. That second barbell helps protect enamel and gums long term. If the studio builds the downsize into the price, it’s worth more than a rock-bottom sticker that leaves the client hunting for a shorter bar later.

How painful is a tongue piercing, really?

On a 1 to 10 pain scale, most clients call the piercing itself a 3 to 5 that lasts a few seconds. The needle passes through smooth muscle, not cartilage, which surprises people in a good way. The pressure is noticeable, then it’s done. What people feel more is the swelling over the next 24 to 72 hours.

The tongue can puff up, feel thick, and make speech a little lispy for a couple of days. Chewing takes focus. The discomfort usually peaks day two, then settles. It’s not “down for the count” pain, but it does require patience and smart food choices. Ice water sips, cold smoothies, and soft foods help a lot.

What to expect on piercing day

An appointment starts with a quick consult. The piercer checks the tongue length, veins, and frenulum, and confirms the planned placement. Not every tongue is a good match for a midline piercing. If veins run high or the mouth anatomy suggests risk, a cautious studio will say so and explain alternatives.

Once everything checks out, the piercer marks the spot, has the client rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash, and sets up a sterile field. The needle is single-use and opened in front of the client. The pass is quick, the jewelry slides in immediately, and the piercer secures the ends. Many studios use a slightly longer starter barbell to give swelling room.

There will be a list of aftercare steps to follow at home. A clear plan goes a long way to smooth healing.

Mississauga-specific notes on cost and timing

Local demand spikes around long weekends, early summer, and back-to-school. During busy periods, premium jewelry can sell out, and appointments for downsizing fill faster. Booking the downsize at the same time as the initial piercing helps keep healing on track.

Insurance in Ontario generally doesn’t cover piercing, and HST applies. Bring a photo ID if age is a question. Most Mississauga studios require clients to be 16+ with government-issued ID for a tongue piercing; younger clients often need a parent or guardian present. Policies vary, so it’s best to check ahead.

Choosing safe jewelry for your tongue

Jewelry touches teeth and gums every day, so quality matters more than it does for, say, an earlobe. Implant-grade titanium is the go-to for initial piercings because it’s lightweight, nickel-free, and less reactive. Once healed, some clients switch to a high-polish solid gold top on a titanium bar. Avoid cheap plated ends that can chip.

Threading matters too. Internal threading or threadless ends reduce irritation inside the puncture channel. Smooth surfaces and high polish reduce plaque buildup and lower the risk of redness or gum tenderness.

Jewelry size also affects comfort. The starter bar is intentionally long to leave room for swelling. After a few weeks, the bar should be swapped for a shorter one. That small change improves speech, chewing, and oral health.

What healing looks like day to day

Expect a healing window of six to eight weeks for most healthy adults, with the early week being the noisiest. The tongue will feel big. Saliva might increase. A little surface white or clear lymph is normal. What isn’t normal is hot, throbbing pain that gets worse after day three, thick green discharge, or fever. That’s a sign to call the studio and consider seeing a healthcare provider.

At the studio, clients often get the same advice:

  • Swish with a gentle, alcohol-free mouth rinse after meals and at bedtime. Some prefer a saline rinse a few times daily. Strong mouthwashes dry tissues and slow healing.

  • Avoid smoking and alcohol for the first week if possible. Both irritate the piercing and increase swelling.

  • Keep hands off the jewelry. Don’t spin it, don’t bite it, don’t play with it during healing. Let it be.

  • Eat soft, cool foods for a few days. Yogurt, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soups, and cut-up fruit are easy wins. Skip spicy, crunchy, or acidic foods until the tongue calms down.

  • Switch to the shorter barbell as soon as swelling subsides. The piercer will guide timing.

This is steady, boring care, and it works.

Risks worth taking seriously

Tongue piercings are common, but they’re still a controlled wound inside a busy environment. Here are the realistic risks and how a good studio reduces them:

  • Tooth or gum damage: Long-term contact with a too-long bar can wear enamel or push on gum tissue. Proper downsizing and mindful chewing reduce this risk.

  • Infection: Mouths host bacteria. Sterile technique and smart aftercare keep infections rare. If something feels off, quick contact with the studio is better than toughing it out.

  • Swelling and speech changes: Temporary, expected, and manageable. A longer starter bar and ice water help.

  • Jewelry rejection or migration: Less common on a tongue than on surface piercings, but placement and fit matter. An experienced piercer places for anatomy, not for photos.

  • Allergic reaction to metal: Rare with implant-grade titanium or solid gold. More likely with mixed alloys, cheap plating, or mystery metals. Stick with known materials.

How much is a tongue piercing vs. other oral piercings?

For context, a vertical tongue piercing or venom bites (one on each side) will cost more because they’re more involved and require more jewelry. A single midline piercing stays the most budget-friendly in the oral category. If someone is deciding between styles based on cost, it helps to compare total prices including both posts and both ends for pairs like venoms.

Quick price ranges for Mississauga, ON

These are typical totals clients see locally, jewelry included:

  • Standard midline tongue: $95 to $170
  • Venom bites (pair): $180 to $320
  • Vertical tongue: $120 to $200

The spread usually reflects jewelry choices. Implant-grade titanium with simple ends sits at the lower half. Decorative or gold tops shift upward.

Why booking with a trusted Mississauga studio matters

Tongue piercings heal well under the right conditions. A studio that respects anatomy, uses sterile technique, and stocks safe jewelry sets the client up for an easy ride. Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing has been Mississauga’s go-to studio since 2000. The team pierces every day and teaches aftercare in clear, simple steps. Clients come back for downsizing because the first visit makes sense and the tongue feels better fast.

The studio runs a full sterilization process with single-use needles, biological spore testing on the autoclave, and medical-grade disinfectants. Jewelry is implant-grade titanium and solid gold only, with polished surfaces that are kind to oral tissue. That’s the quiet work behind a safe piercing.

The aftercare that saves you money

Good aftercare prevents problems that lead to extra studio visits or dental bills. The biggest money-saver is timely downsizing. Walking around for months with a starter length increases the risk of clicking on teeth. The second biggest saver is resisting the urge to swap jewelry too early. Let the initial bar live in peace until a piercer gives the green light. Early changes invite bacteria and reopen the channel.

Clients often ask about clear retainers for school or work. Those can be fine once healing is stable. Using a retainer too soon, though, can introduce rough edges and friction. Ask the piercer for a timeline that fits the schedule and obligations.

Eating, talking, and living with a fresh tongue piercing

The first three days are all about being gentle. Most people do well with cool drinks and soft textures. Coffee can be fine if it’s not scalding, but it can sting right after the piercing. Carbonated drinks may fizz uncomfortably on day one or two. It’s smart to cut food into small bites and chew slowly on molars. Speech sounds a bit thick at first; it clears up as swelling drops.

Workouts are fine if they’re not intense during peak swelling. Heavy strain can push blood pressure and make the tongue throb. A couple of lighter days helps. Kissing and oral contact should wait until the piercer says the tissue has sealed up. That’s about health, not just comfort.

Can someone with braces or dental work get a tongue piercing?

It depends. A barbell can hit brackets and cause wear. If someone has a history of gum recession or dental bonding near the bite surface, a conservative studio may advise against it or suggest a shorter post after healing. A pre-piercing chat that includes dental history is smart. If a client’s dentist has raised concerns in the past about enamel wear, bring that up during the consult.

How long until it looks and feels normal?

Most people feel “normal” speaking and eating within a week. The piercing channel continues to mature for several weeks. Taste should be unchanged. Light tenderness under the tongue when the bar moves can hang around for a bit and then fades. The downsize tends to be the moment it all clicks; shorter jewelry sits neatly and stops catching during meals.

Budgeting tips for a tongue piercing in Mississauga

Plan for the full experience, not just the appointment fee. Set aside funds for jewelry, HST, and a tip if tipping fits the budget. Add a small buffer for the shorter bar at the downsize if it’s not included. If someone loves the look of gold, it might make sense to start with titanium for healing and pick a gold top later. That splits the spend without compromising safety.

Red flags to watch for before you book

A safe studio welcomes questions. If a shop can’t name jewelry materials beyond “steel,” won’t show sterile packaging, or avoids talking about aftercare, it’s a pass. If the piercer skips anatomy checks or marks barely on the surface, that’s another pass. Good professionals explain the process, ask about health and dental history, and give choices with clear pros and cons.

Booking at Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing

For anyone in Mississauga searching “how much is a tongue piercing,” the studio is happy to quote exact pricing based on jewelry choices and to check schedules for same-day appointments. Walk-ins are welcome when time allows, but most clients prefer to book so the downsize slot gets reserved too. The team keeps the vibe friendly and unrushed, whether it’s a first piercing or number ten.

If a client brings a photo for inspiration, the piercer will talk through how that look translates to their anatomy. Straight talk beats guesswork. Questions about pain, swelling, or diet are always fair game.

FAQs locals ask before the needle

How old do you have to be for a tongue piercing in Mississauga? Most studios set the minimum at 16 with ID, with a parent or guardian needed if younger. Policies differ. Xtremities can confirm by phone or message.

Can someone use numbing cream? Topical numbing doesn’t work well inside the mouth and can complicate the process. The piercing is fast and manageable without it.

How soon can someone change the jewelry top? Wait until the downsize or until the piercer confirms stable healing. Early changes cause irritation.

What if the bar feels too tight? Swelling varies. If the top sinks or the ball presses painfully, contact the studio quickly. A longer bar may be needed short-term.

Will it leave a scar if removed later? A tiny mark can remain under the tongue, but it’s subtle. The top side usually closes cleanly, especially if removed after full healing.

The bottom line on cost, pain, and a smooth heal

A tongue piercing in Mississauga usually totals $95 to $170 with safe jewelry. The piercing itself stings for a few seconds; the swelling over the next couple of days is the bigger factor. With clean technique, implant-grade jewelry, and steady aftercare, healing is straightforward. Downsizing is the quiet hero that protects teeth and gums and makes the jewelry feel right.

If it’s time to get clear numbers and a slot on the calendar, Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing can quote based on the exact jewelry you like and set both your piercing and downsize in one go. Whether it’s your first piercing or your tenth, the team will keep it simple, safe, and local to Mississauga. Drop by the studio, call ahead, or message to get started.

Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing offers professional tattoos and piercings in Mississauga, ON. As the city’s longest-running studio, our location on Dundas Street provides clients with experienced artists and trained piercers. We create custom tattoo designs in a range of styles and perform safe piercings using surgical steel jewelry. With decades of local experience, we focus on quality work and a welcoming studio environment. Whether you want a new tattoo or a piercing, Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing is ready to serve clients across Peel County.

Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing

37 Dundas St W
Mississauga, ON L5B 1H2, Canada

Phone: (905) 897-3503

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