tongue ring ISSUES, need advice

[phisiggrrl352]

ok, i know it must just be me.

i had my tongue pierced over a year ago and have wanted to change the barbell for quite some time due to fear of tooth chippin, mommy bitching, etc...(hey, that kinda rhymed)

anyways, i finally got the guts (believe it or not the thought of messing around with my tongue made me lightheaded) to change it to a 3/4" barbell with a flat bottom acrylic top. the second day it kept coming off when i was eating and while it eating subway i crunched down on something. it was not bread.

boo.

so then i buy another one that is 1/2", flat bottom acrylic on both ends and notice that the top keeps coming off when i chew. i lost the top while eating cheesecake.

let's not talk about what went down with the little plastic retainer thing.

WHAT'S THE DEAL? am i not screwing it in tight enough? should i go to a professional piercer and have them change it? i'm just annoyed because i've spent so much $$.

thanks for lettin me vent.