Are Snake Eyes Tongue Piercings a Bad Idea?

Chances are you or someone you know has a tongue piercing. Tongue piercings are pretty common. There are at least 4 different types of tongue piercings and some people opt for multiple. However, just like with any other piercing, they carry some amount of risk. The piercing community considers snake eyes tongue piercings even riskier than the others. At the same time, many people get it and say they have no problems. If you’re thinking about getting one, you may be wondering whether or not it’s a bad idea. Here’s what we know. 

Photo: Flickr

What are Snake Eye Tongue Piercings?

Before we get into whether or not you should get a snake eye tongue piercing, let’s chat about what they are.

The snake eye piercing is also described as horizontal piercing or a scoop piercing. It’s done by pushing the needle horizontally through the tip of the tongue. 

If you’re curious about the process, you can watch a professional piercer do it. 

Snake eyes tongue piercing, what to expect and proper aftercare

Are Snake Eyes Tongue Piercings a Bad Idea?

Many experts think so. Jess Rose, a piercer at Matchless Tattoo told Byrdie that no reputable piercer would do snake eyes tongue piercing. 

In case you’re wondering why Rose explains that the tongue is full of muscles and so doing this isn’t safe or viable. 

Rose told Byrdie, “There are multiple muscles encased in the tongue. By piercing sideways through two muscles, it’s not safe or viable.”

In addition to that, snake eyes tongue piercings can:

• Pose a risk to your oral health -They may result in you spending more at the dentist. Rose told Byrdie that those piercings can erode your enamel and gum because of the impact of the jewelry.

 Authority Tattoo also says you could end up with a chipped tooth. They suggest not biting down on the piercing and going to your dentist regularly to make sure it’s not causing damage.  

• Result in an infection – All piercings present some amount of risk. Therefore, you will have a chance of getting an infection. In order to minimize the risk, you could ask your piercer for after-care tips. In addition to that, using a professional piercer that does the piercing in a clean shop is essential to any piercing. However, remember, many professional piercers won’t attempt this piercing. 
• Migrate – Yes, your piercing may migrate. While this may seem harmless, it can result in an asymmetrical piercing or tooth damage, according to Tattoo Authority. 
• Result in scarring – Tattoo Authority mentions that scarring is possible. Your body may reject the piercing or you may choose to remove it and end up with a scar. This isn’t unique to snake eyes tongue piercings though. 

Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns

If you are curious about snake eyes tongue piercings, here are some frequently asked questions and concerns people usually have. 

How Much Does Snake Eyes Tongue Piercings Cost?

Of course, it depends on the piercer but Authority Tattoo says it should cost between $50 and $90. 

Remember to factor in tip, transportation, and other fees when budgeting for piercings. 

How to Eat With Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing

Eating can be uncomfortable depending on what you’re eating. Byrdie says for tongue piercings:

• Don’t eat hard or crunchy foods
• Opt for cool or cold foods because hot food can cause irritation
• Opt for smoothies, broths, and other foods easy on the mouth

What is the Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing Healing Process?

Fortunately, it seems that this piercing heals at roughly the same rate as other tongue piercings. Tattoo Authority says that swelling may last up to 10 days and but it should be completely healed in about 60 days. 

In the beginning, besides swelling, Tattoo Authority says you may experience a clear discharge and bleeding. 

If you’re experiencing yellow or green pus, prolonged bleeding or a fever, Tattoo Authority says you most likely have an infection. They suggest talking to a piercer for mild infections and seeing a doctor for more severe infections. 

The key to having a piercing heal on schedule is to practice good aftercare, such as:

• Washing the piercing with a saline solution twice a day
• Using alcohol-free mouth wash
• Avoiding cigarettes
• Avoiding things that irritate the piercing like certain foods
• Not introducing additional bacteria to the piercing (so no making out)

In addition to that, you may want to hold off on smoking weed while the piercing is healing. You may be able to eat edibles though if they’re soft. There isn’t a lot of information about weed and tongue piercings, however, you’ll need to take really good care of your oral health during this time. Some of the effects of weed such as a dry mouth could be harmful to a healing piercing.

You may not want to suck on anything such as straws or pipes after the piercing because it may cause bleeding. The piercer in the YouTube video above explains this and other after-care tips. 

Conclusion

Yes, snake eyes tongue piercings are a bad idea. Many professional piercers won’t even attempt them. They pose unique risks that other tongue piercings don’t pose. In addition to that, they also carry risks that all other piercings have. It’s probably not worth it.