October 19, 2023

Dolphin Bites Piercing: Cost, Pain, Healing, Jewelry, Sizing, Aftercare, Pros and Cons

Are you looking for your next new piercing? Are you leaning toward a facial piercing or maybe specifically your lip? Check out dolphin bites, a dual piercing just below your lip with different jewelry options to meet your sense of style.

Want a quick dolphin bites overview? Check out these key facts:

Fast Facts

Placement: Two piercings centered just below your bottom lip
Cost: $50 to $100
Pain: Four to six (on a scale of one to ten)
Healing time: Three to six months
Jewelry: Labret studs, barbells, seamless hoops, or captive bead rings
Risks: Gum recession, tooth damage, and infection

What Is a Dolphin Bite Piercing?

Dolphin bites are two piercings next to one another, centered below your bottom lip. They are meant to look like the narrow muzzle of a dolphin. Both piercings go completely through your lip and can be felt on the inside of your mouth.

Variation: Upper Dolphin Bite Piercing

An upper dolphin bite piercing is the same as traditional dolphin bites but located just above your upper lip.

Do Dolphin Bites Lip Piercings Hurt?

With their location below your lip, dolphin bites often range between a four and a six on a pain scale of one to ten with one being little to no pain and ten being maximum pain. However, because they involve two piercings close to one another, the second piercing may hurt worse since the area has already been punctured.

Dolphin Bites Lip Piercing Healing Time

In general, dolphin bite piercings take around three to six months to heal. You may heal faster or it may take longer for you to be completely healed. It really depends on your body and how it handles the new piercing. Poor quality jewelry, infection, and other issues can prolong the healing time.

Image: Skincraft Tattoo and Piercing.

How Much Does a Dolphin Bites Lip Piercing Cost?

Dolphin bites usually cost between $50 and $100. However, the actual cost will vary based on geographical location, the prices at your piercing parlor, and the type of jewelry that you choose.

More expensive jewelry can heighten the cost. You should consider paying more for a skilled piercer and quality lip jewelry.

Dolphin Bites Piercing Jewelry

Dolphin bites piercing jewelry will rub against your teeth and gums, posing a risk to your oral health. Therefore, you need to choose jewelry that is safe and comfortable. Consider the lip ring type, material, and size when selecting your accessories.

1. Types of Dolphin Bites Piercing Jewelry

Types of dolphin bites piercing jewelry include:

Labret Studs

Flat back labret stud with a ball titanium $18.9, SHOP NOW.

The stud goes through the back of your lip where a flat back sits flush against your skin. Then, the front of the stud is screwed on. These can be easy to insert and don’t risk falling out.

Barbells

Titanium ring horseshoe barbell $17.9, SHOP NOW.

With a ball, gemstone, or other accent on each end, the jewelry goes through the back of your lip. One accent sits flush against the back of your lip and the other screws onto the front.

These aren’t commonly recommended for dolphin bites because they are more likely to abrasively rub against your teeth and gums, leading to health concerns.

Seamless Hoops

Piercing hoop 6mm 8mm 10 mm simple and minimalist $15.9, SHOP NOW.

A thin, seamless hoop is threaded through your piercing. There is no hinge, so one end of the hoop threads inside the other end.

They typically sit comfortably against the lip with less rubbing. However, you may need to start off with studs and weight for your dolphin bites to fully heal before switching to hoops.

Captive Bead Rings

Best metals for nose rings: Pros, cons, and prices

Ashley Piercing Jewelry captive bead nose ring implant-grade titanium nose ring $15.9, SHOP NOW.

With a hinged design, the hoop opens in half and is secured by a small bead that screws in place. It can be a small metal ball, a spike, or other accent. These can be more difficult to insert but give you more of a chance to customize than with a plain hoop.

2. Recommended Materials

Commonly recommended materials for lip jewelry include:

Implant-Grade Titanium

Implant-grade titanium lip jewelry is strongly recommended. It is lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish. It’s often recommended for those who are allergic to brass, nickel, and other metals common for jewelry.

Precious Metals

Platinum and 14-karat gold jewelry can offer an elevated look. However, they may be more pricey and could tarnish over time. Also consider if you have allergies, such as an allergy to gold.

Surgical-Grade Stainless Steel

If you opt for stainless steel, you should opt for surgical-grade steel. It often contributes to a smooth healing process and is extremely durable. However, it does contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions in those with skin sensitivities.

Talk through all material options with your piercer to figure out what’s best for you and your skin.

Sterling Silver

A metal allow that is durable, affordable, and appealing to the eye with its shiny appearance. However, sterling silver is often not recommended for new piercings because it can complicate the healing process.

Bioflex Plastic:

Flexible jewelry made from renewable materials that are metal-free and can come in different colors.

3. Dolphin Bite Jewelry Sizing

Consider the following standards when choosing the size for your dolphin bite piercing jewelry:

Gauge: 14 gauge (1.6mm), 16 gauge (1.2mm), or 18 gauge (1mm)
Length (for barbells and labrets): 8mm or 10mm
Diameter (for hoops and captive bead rings): 8mm or 10mm

Sizing can vary and will largely depend on the size and thickness of your bottom lip.

What Celebrity Has a Dolphin Bite Piercing?

Celebrities often make the headlines for unique piercings that make their appearance stand out.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by David Draiman (@davidmdraiman)

For example, David Draiman, lead singer for the band Disturbed, had dolphin bite piercings with claw-like jewelry that extended past his chin. They were a trademark look for him and one that many of his fans admired.

Piercings similar to dolphin piercings have been seen in other celebrities, often referred to as “chin” piercings, including Christina Aguilera and Ne-Yo. Cardi B also got a similar piercing style, but instead, hers was a horizontal labret piercing through her bottom lip.

Various lip piercings on celebrities may be the inspiration you’re looking for to get yours.

Pros and Cons of Dolphin Bite Piercings

If you’re on the fence about whether or not dolphin bites are right for you, consider the potential advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

Opportunity for a double piercing
Highly visible to make a statement
Different jewelry options
Less common than some other facial piercings

Cons:

Can be painful compared to other piercings
May make it difficult to eat and drink
Could damage your gums and teeth
More susceptible to infection

Potential Problems

There are also some problems and health concerns that could pop up with dolphin bite piercings, including:

Swelling and the need to wait between each of the piercings
Increased risk of infection with the placement at your mouth
Rubbing against your gums and causing gum recession
Rubbing against your teeth and damaging your tooth enamel
Continued rubbing against your teeth, leading to tooth decay

Your best defense against these conditions is practicing good oral hygiene (a sea salt rinse twice daily) and not playing with your jewelry.

How to Eat With Dolphin Bite Piercings?

As previously mentioned, dolphin bites can be challenging when you eat. When you first get your piercing, try to stick to soft, bland foods. Avoid anything that is crunchy or spicy as it can irritate the piercing. Lean toward yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, and cold foods like ice cream that will also help with swelling.

While it should get better once the piercings are fully healed, you still need to exercise caution when biting, chewing, and consuming spicy items.

Dolphin Bite Piercing Aftercare

You may be able to do two piercings at a time, but you must make sure all four get cleaned front and back. It’s crucial for you to properly clean your piercings at least twice a day.

Opt for soft foods that aren’t overly spicy or acidic.
Chew very carefully to avoid biting your lip jewelry.
Avoid strenuous activities with your mouth until your piercings are fully healed.
Clean the piercings at least twice a day using a sea salt or saline solution.
Soak the outsides of your piercings for 3-5 minutes in the solution.
Gargle with salt water, paying extra attention to the front of your mouth to clean the backs of the jewelry.
Avoid mouthwash with alcohol.
Avoid touching and playing with the jewelry as this can introduce contaminants that contribute to infection.

Once your piercings are fully healed, you’ll be able to resume most of your daily habits. However, you may still find it difficult to eat certain foods or drink certain beverages that irritate the wounds. Be sure to talk with your piercer about concerns you may have.

Should You Get Dolphin Bites Lip Piercings?

If you’re interested in a double lip piercing, definitely consider dolphin bites. They are unique with many different jewelry options that can help you express yourself. However, be sure you think through all of the potential disadvantages to ensure the pros outweigh the cons.