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Oral Piercing Aftercare
SUPPLIES
· Antiseptic mouthwash (non-alcoholic, no Listerine)
Tech 2000, or Biotene are acceptable
· Sea Salt (or table salt)
· Distilled or filtered water
· Ice
 CLEANING
· Rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash primarily after meals
for 30-60 seconds. Do not exceed rinsing more than 3-5 times a day. Do not
overuse mouthwash. If you over clean, it may cause discoloration or irritation
of tongue.
· Packaged sterile saline solution with NO additives (read the label!)
or non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve ¼ teaspoon
of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled
or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better! Saline solution that is
too strong can irritate the piercing. (If you have high blood pressure or a
heart condition, please check with your doctor before using a saline product
inside your mouth as your primary cleaning solution.)
ADDITIONAL AFTERCARE
· For the first 3-7 days, gently suck on ice to help reduce swelling.
· For the first several days you may wish to take some ibuprofen. Use
as directed.
· After the first 3-7 days try gently brushing your tongue with a new
soft bristled toothbrush. (Tongue piercing only)
· Wash your hands with a liquid antibacterial soap before any contact
with your piercing.
· Avoid oral contact (i.e. kissing/sexual contact) for 4-6 weeks. The
piercing is an open wound in your mouth allowing any bacteria or virus easy
entry to your body.
· Refrain from playing with your new piercing.
· No alcohol for at least 3 weeks. This is important.
· Reduce intake of warm beverages and hot/spicy foods for first 7-14
days.
· Reduce all smoking for full healing period.
· Do not remove jewelry until the piercing is completely healed. If
you remove the jewelry the hole may shrink or close.
· Check your beads on barbell or flatback shaft to ensure they have
not become loose. Wash hands before doing this.
· In 4-8 weeks downsize barbells or flatbacks. This will help reduce
the risk of oral damage.
· Tongue barbells should have small balls or flatbacks placed on the
bottom. This will help reduce the risk of oral damage.
· Be careful with oral piercings to prevent damage to teeth and gums.
What is Normal?
· For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding,
bruising, and/or tenderness.
· After that: Some swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid
(not pus.)
· A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because
piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue
remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the
entire healing period.
· Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having
been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like the piercing,
leave the jewelry in place.
What to avoid
· DO NOT PLAY WITH THE JEWELRY. Long-term effects of
playing with, and clicking the jewelry against the teeth can result in permanent
damage to teeth and other oral structures.
· Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry
during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar
tissue, migration, and other complications.
· Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the area and
delay healing.
· Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.
· Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
· Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.
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