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The snake eyes tongue piercing gets its name from the appearance of the jewelry ends, which can look a bit like snake eyes. This piercing is particularly dangerous in a number of ways and we do not recommend one. If you already have a snake eyes tongue piercing, there are specific measures you will need to take to ensure your safety during the healing process.
What is a Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing?
This piercing is a unique type of tongue piercing because it pierces your tongue horizontally, as opposed to other tongue piercings that pierce vertically. The piercing goes through the tip of the tongue and is worn with a curved barbell. Because of the unusual appearance, it is frequently mistaken as a double piercing.
Snake Eyes Piercing Pros and Cons
We’d like to restate that snake eyes piercings are not recommended. They are looked down upon so much among piercers that you are unlikely to find someone to give you one. If you do, it’s likely only because they were worried you’d try to pierce yourself and want to monitor the healing process to ensure your safety. However, once someone has their heart set on a piercing it can be difficult to talk them out of it, so we’ve gathered a list of pros and cons.
Pros:
- Extremely unique – Because this is the only piercing that pierces through the tongue horizontally (for good reason), this is a very rare piercing that will really stand out.
Cons
- Excess tooth damage – The location of the jewelry makes it very easy to knock against teeth or chomp down on, which will cause gum and tooth damage or even tooth fracturing.
- Decreases tongue movement – Your tongue is made of two muscles. This piercing goes through both muscles and essentially ties them together, which decreases the functions of your tongue and can even cause speech problems.
- High chance of migration and rejection – Because this piercing goes through the tip of your tongue, it is actually a surface piercing similar to eyebrow or navel piercings. All surface piercings have a very high chance of rejection, which can tear out of your tongue and cause muscle damage.
Fake Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing
A safe alternative to a snake eyes piercing would be a venom piercing. While it may not be as convincing a fake as some faux piercings, such as the faux rook piercing, it is pretty similar and more importantly, safer. A venom piercing is a double tongue piercing. These piercings go through your tongue vertically, so they don’t cause muscular issues and the jewelry is in a safer location, so tooth damage is decreased. Plus these are not surface piercings, so chance of migration and rejection is also decreased.
Snake Eyes Tongue Piercing Healing Process
Like other tongue piercings, the snake eyes piercing takes 2-3 months to fully heal. Be sure to rinse your mouth after every meal to clear any food debris that could cause issues for your healing piercing. Your piercer will likely recommend a wound wash made specifically for oral piercings to gargle with. Avoid alcohol (including mouthwash with alcohol in it) as well as spicy or acidic foods. A week or two after piercing, you will need to revisit your piercer to downsize your jewelry so you don’t bite it.
Conclusion
Snake eyes piercings are dangerous for a number of reasons. To avoid breaking your teeth, losing tongue function (including speech problems) and rejection, you should instead consider the venom piercing. If you already have a snake eyes piercing, visit an APP certified piercer for recommendations on how to keep yourself safe.
