Bifurcation of the tongue can be performed surgically with a scalpel or cauterized with a laser. [6] It is performed by oral surgeons, plastic surgeons or body modification practitioners, or performed by themselves, but only oral surgeons and plastic surgeons are allowed. Before dividing with any method, some opt for a well-healed tongue piercing, where the back end of the slit should be. This effectively prevents the tongue from healing from the back of the cut forward, resulting in a cleft that is not as deep as desired. Bifurcation of the tongue, split or bifurcation, is a type of body modification in which the tongue is cut off in the center of its tip downwards, with the tip sneaking in. Surgical division of the tongue can lead to inflammation, bleeding (including bleeding[11]), infections, and nerve or arterial damage to the tongue. [12] [13] A forked tongue can also significantly alter fricative production. [14] The resulting scar tissue can also affect speech. [15] While language splitting is not necessarily considered bad, it can be considered dangerous if not done by someone with experience in the field. There are many blood vessels in the tongue, and when the tongue is split, it is possible that there is a huge blood loss. In addition, there could be a risk of infection. There are also concerns that language splitting is a procedure imposed on someone else, which could be a form of attack.

It`s also not something that can be easily undone, so there are many people who worry that those dealing with split tongue won`t realize the durability of the procedure and what it means. When people talk about splitting the tongue, they are usually referring to a practice where the language itself is cut in the middle. While cutting usually starts at the bottom and then comes back, the practice has evolved over the past hundred years, and there are several methods to do it. This is usually done for cultural reasons, although some people consider it a form of body mutilation. While the practice is not necessarily common in the developed world, it is not unknown either. Therefore, it is important to take a closer look at this procedure to see if it is illegal in the United States or not. Tongue splitting, in which the tongue is cut in half to create a lizard-shaped fork effect, has gained popularity among body modification enthusiasts. Cases of body modification artists illegally possessing and injecting local anaesthetics for tongue bifurcation procedures have also been recorded in England. [23] Dustin Allor, a 19-year-old driller in the United States, cracked his tongue in 1996. Since she had no indication that this had been done before, she developed the method of tethering or fishing line. In 1997, she appeared on the cover of Fakir Musafar`s Body Play magazine.

[24] «This advice is unlikely to stop those who wish to pierce or alter their mouth or tongue, but those who are done with this should understand the risk and urgently seek oral and maxillofacial surgery if an infection develops or bleeding occurs. Their lives could depend on it. So with the legal question come the social and ethical issues. Opponents of language splitting consider it self-harm; Therefore, doctors should not be allowed to perform the procedure. However, others point out that body modification itself is not a sign of mental illness or a desire for self-harm. They argue that the real ethical question is not whether people are allowed to change their bodies (after all, this is the age of implants, liposuction, and Botox), but whether they have a safe and sterile environment in which to do so. Much to the delight of the defenders of the split tongue, this «Who are we to judge?» there are enough practitioners across the county who are more than willing to fulfill your dreams for a small fee (yikes!) in the range of $1,000 to $2,500 [sources: Vaughn; Loftus]. More than half of all tongue piercings and one in five lip piercings performed in people aged 16 to 24 are thought to cause complications, according to the Royal College of Surgeons. The tongue usually heals within 1-2 weeks, during which time the person may have difficulty with speech or normal eating habits. The cleavage can be surgically reversed by removing the sutures, removing scarred tissue at the edges, and stitching the tongue again. [8] [9] [10] In March 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that language splitting is illegal in England and Wales when performed by a body modification practitioner for cosmetic purposes. [23] In 2017, Brendan McCarthy was charged in the UK with a number of body modifications, including language splitting.

He pleaded guilty in 2019 to intentionally causing grievous bodily harm. [22] Proponents of body modifications, such as tongue forking, may feel that body modifications lead to a sense of strength and empowerment, support couple or group bonds, or cause emotional «healing» from past trauma. [16] Proponents like simple appearance, consider it «beautiful,» appreciate novelty or shock value, or believe it leads to increased sensation or improvement when kissing. [15] Questioning oneself, rites of passage, connecting or having control over one`s body, establishing a spiritual connection or testing the limits of the body are also reasons. Like all body modifications, it can be used to connect or identify with a particular group or ward off those who would quickly make unwanted judgments based on their appearance. [17] In addition to legal and ethical issues, there are also personal considerations that we will be happy to address in the next section. In 2003, Illinois became the first state in the United States to regulate language splitting and passed a law making it illegal to perform the procedure on another person unless it is performed by a person licensed to practice medicine. The law does not seem to prohibit performing the procedure on oneself. [19] Since then, New York, Delaware, and Texas have passed laws that prohibit the practice, prohibit the procedure on minors without parental consent, or limit it to being performed solely by doctors and/or dentists. [20] They say that tongue and lip piercings also cause dental fractures and gum damage.

Selina Master of the SDF said: «The SDF and BAPRAS also fear that, despite the legal debate, the demand for tongue-splitting procedures may continue, but simply be driven underground.» We strongly advise against having mouth piercings or tongue cracks. However, if they do, it is important that they visit their dentist regularly so that the effects on their oral health can be closely monitored. Never try to perform any of these procedures on yourself or others. People with split tongues or mouth piercings are seriously endangering their health, surgeons have warned. So, if you want your tongue to be split, who will? You? This has been done, but it is generally not recommended. A professional in a tattoo or piercing business? Yes, it can work (depending on where you live), but you`d make a solid one by making sure the professional is experienced, understands the procedure, and works in a clean business. A surgeon or other health professional? This is probably your best bet – for legal and security reasons. The question of who will help you crack your tongue is determined in part by where you live.