Aftercare for Oral Piercing

Normal piercing.......may be tender and slightly red for a few weeks, or may itch a bit. It may bleed a little for a few days. It may secrete a whitish-yellow fluid, which may crust  on the jewellery. This is not pus. It may swell the tongue or lip. This will be most uncomfortable for possibly the first 3-5 days.

How Should I Clean My Piercing?

Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the area. After eating, smoking, or putting anything in your mouth, you need to rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. We suggest the original  yellow Listerine (which is alcohol free). You shouldn't use the blue or green minty flavored ones. You should dilute your mouthwash 50% - 75% with water to avoid damaging your new skin cells. You will also need to disinfect the piercing. Exactly twice  a day, place a few drops of Glyoxide (cab amide peroxide) or hydrogen peroxide on the piercing. Let it foam, then swirl it around in your mouth and spit it out. Do Not Omit This Step!!If your going to be consuming alcohol it may get into the blood stream  easier causing you to blow over, with only a few drinks!If you have a lip piercing, you also must clean the outside with Spectro Jel or Hibitane antibacterial cleaner. Use a cotton swab to remove any crusted matter and work the solution into the piercing.  Sea salt rinses (1/4 tsp. Sea salt per cup of warm water) are fine as a supplement, but do not replace the antibacterial mouthwash.

What Else Can I Do?

Piercers have found that Vitamin C (300mg. Mineral acerbate form), multivitamins, and zinc supplements (women: 60mg., men: 120mg., for about two weeks) speeds healing and regeneration  of tissue. Cut down on smoking. Smokers may experience a considerably longer healing time. Suck on ice cubes for the first 24 - 48 hours to reduce swelling. You must refrain from talking a lot for the first few days. You may also want to take an anti-inflammatory  non-prescriptive medication such as Advil, Motrin, or Ibuprofen. Don't be in a hurry to downsize your jewellery. (get a smaller or shorter barbell).Your ready to size down when there is about a 1/4" of room on the post or ring, first thing in the morning.Your  piercer will know when it's time for downsizing. Latex barriers should be used to protect the piercing from body fluids, even if your in a monogamous relationship.

When Can I Remove or Change The Jewellery?

Your piercing will not be completely healed for several years. Even after the piercing has healed, reinsertion can be difficult and sometimes impossible. Except for downsizing,  jewellery. should not be changed during the initial healing period, usually about 6-10 months.Be sure to always wear appropriate jewellery in your piercings, even when fully healed. Jewellery designed for earlobes is never appropriate, and can damage  your piercing. If you must remove the jewellery temporarily call your Piercer. She/He can easily remove the jewellery without damaging the piercing, and can reinsert the jewellery as soon as possible. There might be a small fee for this. It's no problem  to permanently remove the jewellery. In most cases, only a small indentation will remain. We encourage you to call your piercer. He/She will be happy to assist you.

Do I Have An Infection?

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria fungi, or other living pathogens. Piercing infection can usually be traced to one of the following activities:Oral contact with the  piercing.Touching the piercing with unwashed hands, or letting someone else touch the piercing.Allowing body fluids to contact the piercing (your urine is sterile to your own body only).Contact with hair, cosmetics,oils, foods or other agents without  proper disinfecting.Swimming in a pool, hot tub, lake, ocean or other bodies of water (your own clean bathtub is OK)

How Can I Tell If I Have An Infection?

these symptoms may also indicate another problem, look for the following indication of infection:Redness and swelling.A sensation of heat at the piercing site.Pain, especially throbbing or spreading pain.Unusual discharge. It may be yellowish, greenish,  or grayish.

I Think I Have An Infection. What Should I Do?

It's never inappropriate to see your piercing-friendly physician, a call to your Piercer may save you a trip. If possible, visit your Piercer and show him/her your piercing first.  Also tell him/her about any circumstances which may have led to an infection.Please don't remove the jewellery! This may aggravate the problem by closing off the drainage necessary for the matter.The effectiveness of an oral antibiotic depends on selecting  the right one for the job. This choice should only be made by a physician! If you have used an over-the-counter topical antibiotic ointment before without adverse effects, it may be appropriate to use it sparingly, for no more than 3-5 days. Many people  are very sensitive to antibiotics, particularly neomycin. Bacitracin is the least problematic ointment.

Common Problems You Can Avoid.

Cleaning, vigorous cleaning, or using a cleaner that is too strong can produce symptoms very similar to an infection. The skin may be very tender and appear shiny , and there may  be a clear discharge. Inside the mouth, using a undiluted mouthwash, may discolor the tongue and produce a discharge and tenderness.Friction caused by tight or heave clothing, rough sexual activity, or excessive movement of the area can cause dark redness,  Keloids, discharge, and rejection/migration. Tongue piercings that are played with too soon may develop scar tissue around the entrance and/or exit.Stress, poor diet, or illness can cause longer healing times, or migration of the piercing.Reactions to  the metals used by Tattoo Art are extremely rare, but we now have nickel free jewellery upon request. Often, a cleanser reaction or other problem is mistaken for a metal allergy. The area may feel hot and sore, like a low-grade infection, or the body  may attempt to pull away from the metal, resulting in a large, growing cavity.Occasionally, the selected jewellery may not be appropriate. This may or may not be due to circumstances that occurred after the piercing. If the jewellery is too thin or too  heavy, too large or too small in diameter, or not the appropriate style ( a ring instead of a barbell, for example or visa-versa), you may experience healing problems. Contact your Piercer if you suspect that you may need different jewellery.

Estimated Initial healing Times.

everyone heals at a different rate. These are the average times for which you should rinse regularly with antibacterial mouthwash, clean your piercing twice daily, and treat it  like new, healing tissue. Remember that even after the initial healing period, your piercing will still need one full year or longer to completely heal (toughen up). Always treat the piercing with care and gentleness.
Lip, labret: 6-8 weeksTongue: 4-6 weeks.Cheek: 2-3 months.If you have any other questions or problems concerning your piercing,feel free to contact us at: