Tongue Piercing and Tongue Splitting – What You Should Know
Have you ever seen someone with beads or rings on his or her tongue and wondered how they got it? The first time I saw one, I could not contain my surprise. Had it been I could approach her; I would have asked if I could look closely at look at her tongue to figure out how she did it. Tongue Piercing and Tongue Splitting – What You Should Know.
In this article, we will unveil the processes surrounding oral modification. We will go into details of tongue perforation and tongue splitting as well as all that you should know about it. Before you get to the end of this article, you would have a detailed knowledge of what tongue splitting is all about, how it’s done, whether you should have one.
You should know the health implications of tongue perforation and splitting. What is the best area of tongue to perforate and a lot more? It is best you read as closely as you can to avoid missing out on vital tips that would help you make your decisions or shape your opinions about tongue perforation and tongue splitting. With that said, let’s dive right in.
What Exactly is Tongue Piercing or Perforation and Tongue Splitting?Â
Tongue piercing or perforation and tongue splitting are not the same. Don’t get it confused! Before we go further, it is important you understand a critical point. When you check other articles about oral modifications, you may discover, that they use tongue piercing instead of perforation. Tongue perforation and tongue piercing are the same procedure described by different expressions.
According to Wikipedia, tongue perforation involves piercing a small hole through the center of the tongue usually with a needle. But Tongue splitting is quite different.
While tongue perforation involves drilling a hole through the center of the tongue, tongue splitting involves cutting the tongue in lateral halves from the tip of the tongue towards the center, creating a fork-like shape.
How Is It Done?
Most tongue piercing procedures date back as far as human history goes. But, according to Sprague; Medical bag, the first recorded, intentional, case of tongue modification took place in Italy in 1994. The process of tongue modification has gone through several advancements over the years.
In recent times, a person called piercer carries performs tongue perforation while a licensed surgeon conducts the splitting process. Perforation and splitting of the tongue follow different procedures, but they have several things in common.
We will take a moment to explain the piercing and splitting procedure one after another, starting with Perforation to give you a better understanding of how it is achieved.
How Tongue Perforation done?
The first step during the piercing procedure is to check the tongue for the large blood vessel called the lingual artery which supplies blood to most parts of the mouth. By locating the artery, the piercer avoids piercing or obstructing this vessel.
After locating the blood vessel, the piercer clamps down the tongue with forceps to hold the tissue in place, and a needle is usually used to make the piercing; running it through from the top of the tongue to the bottom. The type of needles used may vary from one piercer to another and that is why it is better to allow an expert to handle the procedure.
After the piercing, the piercer would insert the jewelry into the hole created with the needle. Most piercers use larger jewelry for a newly pierced tongue to make room for the swelling that usually results from the procedure. Once the piercer inserts the jewelry, the tongue perforation process ends.
Tongue Splitting
In tongue splitting, the process is a little different. Here, a licensed expert conducts the procedure. An expert would make a cut from the tip of your tongue down towards the back with a heated scalpel. The length of the cut depends on your preference.
He will, then, stitch the edge of each side of the split tongue to prevent it from healing back together. Some experts may prefer to first pierce and heal the end of the prevent the back of the split from gluing back together after the split heals.
Things you need to know about piercing, perforating, or splitting your tongue
Tongue perforation and splitting are usually very painful processes. The resulting swelling and pains that come with tongue perforation or splitting can discourage anyone who intends to have one. You may see the video of this tongue-piercing process.
Some have recorded that on a scale of 1 to 10, one can rate the pain that results from tongue perforation as high as 7-9. Most tongues swell up after perforation and the size of the swollen tongue can become twice its usual size.
And, other people have also recorded irritation after undergoing the procedure. It usually takes up to 8 weeks for the tongue to heal up after which the piercer can change the jewel inserted in the pierced tongue and the cavity in the tongue becomes permanent.
The increase of the surface area of the split tongue presents more taste buds for increased sensitivity to taste. Experts advise that anyone who just got their tongue pierced should stay away from an alcoholic, hot, and spicy meals when the piercing or splitting is still new.
Some people have also experienced cases of excessive blood loss during the procedure especially when incompetent people handle the procedure. Other complications that can result from perforation and splitting include Inhalation and ingestion, Tooth damage, Gum problem, Infection, Oral lesions, Swelling.
Research shows that there are hardly any changes to speech patterns after tongue splitting or perforation. Also, the singing capacity of a person with splatted tongue mostly remains the same with little changes to the pronunciation of some words and production of some sounds. A lot of these changes are hardly detected without special attention.
Tongue Piercing and Tongue Splitting – ConclusionÂ
The midline tongue piercing is by far the most popular and comfortable of all perforations. But if you want to take it to the extreme, you can opt for the double piercing called “venom bite”.
You can go equally go for the top piercing or the under-tongue piercing. Whichever piercing you opt for, ensure you do so with the help of an expert and you consider your choice very well before you proceed.
These procedures are irreversible. Once they do it, they are permanent. Tongue piercing or perforation and tongue splitting pass a message of your uniqueness and boldness to the world but you must be sure that is how you wish to pass your message.
WRITTEN BY:
Taiwo Olubunmi
