* Tarnish: Although pure gold doesn't tarnish, 14k gold is only 58.3% gold. The other 41.7% is made up of other metals like silver, copper, nickel, and zinc. These metals *can* react with substances in your saliva and environment, leading to tarnish.
* Chemical Reactions with Saliva: Your saliva contains various substances, including enzymes and acids. These can react with the non-gold metals in the alloy. This is particularly true if your saliva is more acidic.
* Reactions with Food and Drink: Certain foods and drinks, especially those high in acid (like citrus fruits, vinegar-based dressings, or energy drinks), can accelerate the tarnishing process. Some medications or supplements can also affect saliva composition.
* Mechanical Abrasion: While less likely to cause a significant color change, constant friction against your teeth and tongue can wear down the surface of the ring, potentially exposing a different layer of the alloy underneath, which might appear as a different color.
* Metal Transfer/Friction: In rare cases, if you have other metal fillings or dental work in your mouth, there might be a minute transfer of metal particles to the gold ring through friction, which could affect its appearance over time.
* Contaminants: If you handle the ring after using lotions, cleaning products, or other substances, residue can transfer and react with the metal.
What to do:
1. Clean the Ring Regularly: Use a jewelry cleaning cloth or a soft brush with mild soap and water. Specialized jewelry cleaners for gold can also be used.
2. Rinse After Eating: Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages.
3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Take the ring out if you are using harsh chemicals.
4. Consider a Different Metal: If color change continues to be a problem, consider switching to a tongue ring made of a more biocompatible material, like surgical steel, titanium, or niobium. These are less likely to react with saliva.
5. Consult a Piercing Professional: If you're unsure about the cause of the color change or if you're experiencing any irritation or discomfort, consult a professional piercer for advice. They can assess the ring and your piercing to help you find the best solution.