— The collection

Tongue Piercing

A centred straight barbell — bold, hidden when you want it, and quick to heal.

Tongue piercing jewellery: straight barbells in a material safe for the mouth. G23 titanium while it heals, gold once settled. The right length matters, so you stay comfortable while it beds in and switch to a shorter bar afterwards. The same 14G barbell also sizes for a nipple or a longer industrial — see our gauge and size guide.

What is a tongue piercing

A tongue piercing is a straight barbell placed vertically through the centre of the tongue, roughly in the middle. It is one of the fastest oral piercings to heal and easy to hide, since the barbell only shows when you talk or open your mouth. A single centred piercing is by far the safest and most common.

Tongue jewellery: straight barbells and tops

  • Straight barbell — the only piece for the tongue; a bar with a ball top and bottom, usually 14G.
  • Changeable tops — swap the top ball for a gem or shape once healed, without changing the bar.
  • Shorter bar after healing — a long bar is used while it swells, then downsized to protect the teeth.

See the types of piercing jewellery.

Titanium or gold for a tongue piercing

  • Implant-grade titanium (G23) — nickel-free, hypoallergenic and smooth; the safe choice in the mouth while it heals.
  • Gold finish — warm gold PVD over titanium for a healed tongue, still nickel-free.

Healing a tongue piercing — and your teeth

A tongue heals surprisingly fast — around 4 to 6 weeks — but it swells a lot in the first days, so it starts on a longer bar. Downsizing to a shorter bar once the swelling drops is essential: a long bar rubbing the teeth is the main cause of chips and gum recession. Rinse with saline or alcohol-free mouthwash after eating, drink cold water, and eat soft, cool food at first. Full routine in our aftercare guide.

Does a tongue piercing hurt, and what about snake eyes?

A centred tongue piercing is a firm pinch that is over in a second — most people rate it 3 to 5 out of 10, and the swelling is more of a nuisance than the pain. One honest warning: "snake eyes" (a horizontal bar across the tip) is widely advised against by reputable piercers, as it tethers the tongue muscle and often damages teeth — a single centred barbell is the safe choice.

How long does a tongue piercing take to heal?
Around 4 to 6 weeks, which is fast for a body piercing, but it swells a lot in the first few days. It starts on a longer bar, then your piercer downsizes it once the swelling drops.
Can a tongue piercing damage your teeth?
A bar left too long can chip teeth and push back the gums over time. Downsizing to a shorter barbell after the swelling goes down, and using smooth titanium, is what prevents it — so don't skip the downsize appointment.
Are snake eyes piercings safe?
Most reputable piercers advise against them. A snake eyes piercing is a horizontal bar through the tip of the tongue that ties the two muscle halves together and frequently damages teeth. A single centred barbell is the safe, recommended option.
Does a tongue piercing hurt?
The tongue has fewer nerve endings in the centre than people expect, so it is a quick, firm pinch — most people rate it 3 to 5 out of 10. The swelling in the first days is the bigger adjustment, not the pain.