What you should know before splitting your tongue deliberately?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Tongue Splitting is a kind of cosmetic body modification procedure that involves cutting the tongue in half to create a lizard-like forked effect. Many fashion enthusiasts desire to split their tongues for various reasons like thrill-seeking, aesthetics whereas some people consider it as a self-discovery of art.
Despite seeming as a fashion thing similar to spotting tattoos, body & oral piercing, spotting a split tongue has horrific consequences. Hence many countries imposed restrictions on getting a bifurcated tongue.
What is involved in tongue splitting?
Generally, the bifurcation is performed around the tip of the tongue. The split can sometimes be extended all the way to the centre of the tongue. As the tongue is composed of skeletal muscle fibers and holds tissues, nerve-like cells, they will be damaged with this procedure.
Hence it should be performed by an experienced professional who is highly skilled in tongue forking. The following are the most commonly performed tongue splitting procedures:
- Scalpel Technique – It involves using a scalpel (bladed surgical instrument) to make a cut in the tongue. Beginning from the tongue tip, the incision is made to a certain point where the patient feels comfortable. Then the sides of the tongue where the cut was made are stitched. Necessary precautionary actions should be made to reduce blood loss and seal the wound quickly. Otherwise, the forked tongue will become bothersome.
- Cauterization Technique – This procedure utilizes heat energy for tongue bifurcation. A heated beam of laser is directed towards the point of the tongue where a person needs to split. The tissues inside the tongue will be burnt to some extent while the incision is made. After that, the tongue’s split sides are stitched together.
Remember that this procedure should be performed under the supervision of a person with extensive experience. Hence we advise body modification enthusiasts to avoid DIY tongue bifurcation techniques such as tie-off or fishing line.
What are the risks associated with a split tongue?
Pain, bleeding, and swelling in the tongue are common after the bifurcation procedure. They exist until the surgical wounds heal completely. However, poor craftsmanship in tongue splitting procedures contributes to deeply injuring the tongue. It is linked to problems like blood loss, infections in the blood, nerve damage, alter fricative production, etc.
On the other hand, the oral microbes affect the surgical site. It leads to various problems even though the tongue splitting procedure is performed correctly. If you encounter any of the following issues after months of tongue splitting, see your dentist right away.
- Constant bleeding in the tongue
- Slight distortion in pronouncing certain letters
- A permanent scar on the tongue
- Discharge of pus-like substance from the forked region
- Taste perception problems
- Numbing sensation in the tongue
Dental Surgeons and Researchers revealed that people who are getting tongue bifurcation treatment at young ages are putting themselves at risk of many serious complications.
How do you care your fork tongue during the healing period?
As discussed in the above section, you should keep the muscular organ clean until it is healed completely. Luckily, it heals pretty faster and takes around 2 weeks for healing. Here are the important tongue bifurcation aftercare instructions:
- Take the prescribed painkiller medications to reduce pain
- Don’t reopen the wounds
- Consume liquid foods and soft foods alone during the healing period
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater solution
- Consult your dentist if the pain becomes unbearable
A person might feel hard to do some tongue movements after changing the tongue appearance. So it is important to relearn such movements with the dual appendages.
Is it possible to get a reversal of tongue splitting?
Yes. You can restore the split tongue to its actual form with the help of a dentist.
Beginning with administering local anesthesia, the linings on the sides of the tongue are removed with a scalpel. It causes bleeding. Once the bleeding is stopped, both the dorsal & ventral surfaces of the tongue are stitched together from left to right. Such reversal of the split also heals faster.
Bottom line
Whether you want a forked tongue for self-mutation or other reasons, you should get it done by oral surgeons and plastic surgeons. If you prefer it from tattoo shops, make sure if the body modification practitioners are licensed. We are telling again that tongue splitting performed by amateur practitioners will end in a myriad of horrific consequences.
