You've probably seen them. That sharp, edgy look where two distinct studs sit side-by-side on the tip of the tongue, mimicking the fangs of a venomous serpent. People call it the snake bites tongue piercing, and honestly, it’s one of the most striking oral modifications you can get. But don't let the cool name fool you into thinking it's just a standard tongue job. It isn't.
Getting one of these is a commitment. It’s a double-whammy of needles, swelling, and aftercare that can make eating a simple sandwich feel like a tactical mission. If you're scrolling through TikTok or Instagram and thinking about hitting the studio, you need the real talk on what this process actually looks like. It's not just about the aesthetic; it's about your anatomy, your teeth, and how much "lisping" you're willing to endure for a few weeks.
What Exactly Is a Snake Bites Tongue Piercing?
Most people hear "snake bites" and think of the lip. You know, those two hoops or studs on the lower lip? Those are classic. But the snake bites tongue piercing—also frequently referred to as "venom piercings"—is different. Instead of one hole going straight down the middle of your tongue (the traditional midline piercing), you get two separate piercings.
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They sit horizontally. One on the left, one on the right.
They’re placed toward the front of the tongue, but far enough back to avoid hitting the major veins underneath. This is where it gets tricky. If you look under your tongue in a mirror, you’ll see two big, blue veins called the deep lingual veins. A professional piercer has to navigate those like a minefield. If they hit one? You're going to have a very bad, very bloody day. This is exactly why you don't let your "artistic" friend do this in a dorm room with a safety pin.
The Pain, The Swelling, and The "I Can't Talk" Phase
Let's get real. It hurts.
Is it unbearable? No. Most people rate the actual needle poke as a 4 or 5 out of 10. But remember, you're doing it twice. Once the first needle goes through, your adrenaline is spiking, and then you have to sit still for the second one. The real "pain" isn't the piercing itself, though. It's the three days that follow.
Your tongue is a muscle. When you poke two holes in a muscle, it reacts by inflating like a tiny, wet balloon. Your speech will be trashed. You will sound like you’re holding a marble in your mouth, and honestly, you'll probably drool a bit. It’s part of the charm. This swelling is so predictable that piercers have to use extra-long barbells—sometimes 18mm to 22mm—just to account for the thickness. If the jewelry is too short, the tongue will swallow the beads. That’s a medical emergency, not a fashion statement.
Anatomy Matters More Than You Think
Not everyone can get a snake bites tongue piercing. This is a hard truth.
Your tongue's webbing—the frenulum—might be too long or attached too far forward. If that's the case, the piercer won't have the "real estate" to place the jewelry safely without it rubbing against the floor of your mouth or being constantly irritated. Furthermore, the width of your tongue matters. If you have a particularly narrow tongue, the two studs might end up too close together, losing that "fang" look and just looking like a messy midline piercing.
A reputable piercer, like those certified by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), will palpate your tongue. They'll feel for the muscle density and check your veins with a flashlight. If they tell you "no," listen to them. They're saving you from permanent nerve damage or a lifetime of speech impediments.
The Danger Zone: Teeth and Gums
We have to talk about your dentist. They are going to hate this piercing.
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The snake bites tongue piercing sits right where your tongue hits the back of your teeth. Every time you talk, eat, or just fidget, those metal beads are clinking against your enamel. Over time, this causes "recession." That's a fancy way of saying your gums start running away from the metal. Once your gums recede, they don't grow back.
Then there’s the chipping. You’re eating a taco, you get distracted, and crunch. You’ve just cracked a molar on a high-grade titanium ball.
To mitigate this, many people switch to BioFlex or PTFE (flexible plastic) jewelry once the holes are healed. It’s softer on the teeth. However, you can’t use plastic for the initial piercing because it’s porous and can trap bacteria. You’re stuck with metal for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
How to Not Catch an Infection
Aftercare is boring, but it's the difference between a cool piercing and a hospital visit.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse. Every time you eat anything—even a grape—you need to rinse with non-iodized sea salt water or an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Ice is your best friend. Sucking on ice chips helps keep the swelling down.
- Avoid the "fun" stuff. No spicy food. No alcohol (it thins the blood and increases swelling). No "intimate" oral contact for at least a month. Basically, if it’s exciting, you probably shouldn't put it in your mouth right now.
- Check the balls. Tongue jewelry has a nasty habit of unscrewing itself. Check the tightness of the beads every morning with clean hands. Swallowing a barbell in your sleep is a real risk.
The healing time is surprisingly fast because the tongue is highly vascular. Most people are "healed" in 4 to 6 weeks, though the internal tissue takes about 3 months to fully toughen up.
Cost and What to Ask Your Piercer
Expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $120 for the service, plus the cost of the jewelry. Since you’re getting two piercings, many shops offer a slight discount compared to two separate sessions, but don't cheap out.
When you walk into the shop, ask these specific questions:
- "Do you use internally threaded or threadless jewelry?" (You want internally threaded; it doesn't scrape the tissue).
- "Is the jewelry implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136)?"
- "Can I see your autoclave logs?"
If they hesitate or act like you're being "extra," leave. Your health is worth more than a $20 savings.
Common Myths vs. Reality
People say tongue piercings kill your taste buds. This is mostly a myth. While you might have a weird metallic taste for a few days due to minor bleeding or the jewelry itself, your taste buds are distributed all over your tongue. Two small holes aren't going to turn your favorite pizza into cardboard.
Another myth is that it will permanently change your voice. While you'll lisp during the swelling phase, once you downsize to shorter bars, your speech usually returns to 100% normal. The only exception is if the placement is so poor that it interferes with the tongue's ability to hit the roof of the mouth for "S" and "T" sounds.
Final Steps for Success
If you’ve weighed the risks and you’re ready to get a snake bites tongue piercing, here is your immediate action plan:
First, spend a week obsessed with oral hygiene. Get your teeth cleaned and start flossing religiously. A clean mouth heals faster. Second, buy a new, soft-bristled toothbrush and a bottle of saline oral rinse. Third, prep some "soft foods" like protein shakes, yogurt, and mashed potatoes. You won't want to chew for at least 72 hours.
Once the piercing is done, do not—under any circumstances—change the jewelry yourself for the first time. Go back to the piercer after 2 or 3 weeks to have them "downsize" the bars. Long bars are for swelling; short bars are for safety. Keeping the long bars in too long is the leading cause of dental damage because they flop around and get caught between your teeth. Stick to the plan, keep it clean, and you'll have one of the most unique piercings out there.