Cleaning your snake eyes piercing (a horizontal tongue piercing near the tip) is essential to ensure proper healing and to avoid infections or complications. Since oral piercings are exposed to bacteria from food, drinks, and saliva, maintaining a strict aftercare routine is crucial. Here’s a detailed guide on how to clean your snake eyes piercing effectively.

Why is Cleaning Your Snake Eyes Piercing Important?

Proper cleaning helps:

  1. Prevent Infections: Reduces bacteria buildup around the piercing site.
  2. Promote Healing: Ensures faster and smoother recovery.
  3. Minimize Complications: Avoids swelling, pain, or jewelry rejection.
  4. Maintain Oral Hygiene: Keeps your mouth healthy during the healing process.

How to Clean Your Snake Eyes Piercing

1. Rinse with a Saline Solution

  • Use a sterile saline solution or make one at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
  • Swish the solution around your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute, focusing on the piercing area.
  • Do this 2–3 times a day, especially after eating or drinking anything other than water.

2. Use an Alcohol-Free Mouthwash

  • An alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria without irritating your piercing.
  • Rinse with it twice daily, particularly in the morning and before bedtime.

3. Brush and Floss Gently

  • Brush your teeth gently to avoid irritating the piercing site.
  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean your tongue and teeth without causing trauma to the piercing.
  • Floss regularly to remove food particles and prevent bacteria buildup.

4. Clean the Jewelry

  • During the healing period, the jewelry should not be removed, but you can gently clean around it:
    • Use a clean cotton swab soaked in saline solution to wipe away any buildup or debris around the piercing site.
    • Avoid twisting or moving the jewelry, as it can irritate the healing tissue.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

  • Staying hydrated helps keep your mouth clean and encourages healing.
  • Water flushes out food particles and bacteria naturally.

What to Avoid While Cleaning Your Snake Eyes Piercing

  1. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
  2. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol-based products, or harsh antiseptics as they can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
  3. Skip Spicy, Acidic, and Hot Foods
  4. These can cause irritation or discomfort around the piercing site.
  5. Avoid Touching with Dirty Hands
  6. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning your piercing or touching the area.
  7. Say No to Smoking and Alcohol
  8. Smoking introduces harmful bacteria, and alcohol can irritate and dry out the piercing site.
  9. Don’t Overclean
  10. Overcleaning can irritate the piercing. Stick to the recommended cleaning schedule.

Signs Your Piercing is Healing Properly

  • Reduced Swelling: Swelling should go down after the first week.
  • Minimal Discharge: A little clear or white discharge is normal, but it should decrease over time.
  • No Pain: After the initial soreness, there should be no persistent pain.

When to Seek Help

Contact your piercer or a healthcare professional if you notice:

  1. Severe Swelling: Excessive swelling that doesn’t improve.
  2. Discolored Discharge: Yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge may indicate an infection.
  3. Excessive Pain: Persistent or worsening pain.
  4. Difficulty Eating or Speaking: Beyond the initial healing phase.