Everything You Need to Know About Embedding and Nesting in Oral Piercings

If you have just completed or are planning to get an oral piercing, you must not miss this guide. Whether it is a tongue piercing, a lip piercing or a cheek piercing, you must understand and be vigilant about embedding and nesting during the maintenance process. You may be piercing You’ve heard these two terms used by piercing specialists and piercing specialists alike, but you’re not the only one who’s confused by them. Today in this guide we’ll provide you with information on these two key aspects of oral piercing care.

What is nesting?

In oral piercings, nesting in a certain state is a more ideal result. Ingrown piercings occur when the jewelry sits comfortably in the tissue and the piercing heals without any complications. It's like the jewelry "nests" into the piercing, sitting at the perfect angle to allow the surrounding tissue to heal. But if the angle is wrong, the tissue will grow, heal and push the jewelry into it, gradually forming a semi-enclosure. This is not a good outcome, and we'll explain this later in the article.

How does nesting occur?

For the piercing to be in-place, your jewelry must fit properly, which means you have to make sure there is enough room in the piercing to accommodate the swelling and tissue growth of the piercing during the healing process. You can't put too much pressure on the area, which is why you should wear jewelry that is slightly looser after a piercing. If the piercing heals as expected and the jewelry stays in place without causing irritation, it is in-place.

What does it feel like to nest?

Perfect nesting is what every piercer wants. Why do I say that? Because if your piercing is positioned correctly, you generally won’t experience any discomfort. Your jewelry will also fit comfortably without moving around too much or pressing into tissue. You may even feel like the jewelry “disappears” into the piercing, as if it has become a natural part of your body. If that’s the case, it will hardly be a bother in your daily life.

How to achieve nesting?

Not every oral piercing will nest perfectly, but following the steps below can greatly increase the chances of nesting.

• Choosing the right size jewelry is key. Your piercer will help you pick the right jewelry based on your body structure. For example, if you are getting a lip piercing, you will want a piece of jewelry that is long enough to accommodate any swelling and still leave room for the tissue to heal.
• Follow aftercare instructions . Proper aftercare is essential to ensure your piercing heals properly and stays in place. Clean your piercing with saline solution, avoid touching it with dirty hands, and resist the urge to change your jewelry too soon.

What is embedding?

Embedding is not as good as nesting. Embedding is when your piercing jewelry, like a labret studs, gets stuck or sinks into the surrounding tissue. This can happen when the jewelry is too small, too short, or improperly placed. If your oral piercing feels a little "off," or like it's digging into the inside of your lip or cheek, you're likely experiencing some form of embedding.

How are embeddings formed?

There are two main reasons for embedding:

The jewelry is too small. Due to the local swelling that will form in the first few days after the piercing, you must leave enough room for the jewelry to cope with it, otherwise it will cause pressure on the piercing site. This pressure will cause the jewelry to sink into the tissue over time.

Improper placement. If the jewelry is not inserted correctly initially, or if the piercing site shifts during the healing process, the jewelry may begin to sink into the tissue.

How does it feel to be embedded?

If your jewelry is embedded, you may experience discomfort or pressure around the piercing site. You may also notice that the jewelry looks like it's digging into your lip, tongue, or cheek. Swelling may last longer than expected, or it may feel like the jewelry is "stuck" in the piercing. In some cases, embedded jewelry may lead to more serious complications, such as infection or tissue damage, so it's important to see your piercer as soon as possible to address the issue.

How to prevent and solve embedding problems?

• Relieve swelling: Swelling can cause jewelry to sink into tissue, and you can use ice to reduce swelling and reduce pressure around the piercing.
• Choose the right size jewelry: Usually the piercer will assess what size is suitable for you based on your body structure. Follow the piercer's advice and do not change the jewelry on your own.

If an embedded piercing occurs, contact your piercer as soon as possible to have him assess the severity and do not treat it yourself. This may cause further irritation or injury. If the embedded piercing is severe, the jewelry may need to be removed to avoid further damage to the tissue.

Conclusion

The main difference between embedding and nesting is that the former is good, the jewelry is comfortable to wear, and the tissue heals naturally without pressure or irritation. The latter is bad, the jewelry is embedded in the tissue, causing discomfort, swelling or complications. So embedding is the goal, and the key to achieving this is to choose the right jewelry, take good care of it, and give the piercing enough time to heal. If you are not sure whether your piercing is embedded or inset, feel free to contact a professional piercer. They can help evaluate the situation, recommend the correct jewelry size, and ensure your piercing heals in the best way possible.