Aftercare For Oral Piercings

Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing or jewelry.
Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash after eating, drinking anything other than water, and smoking is recommended. Mouthwashes are not intended to be used as often as is typically required for oral piercing aftercare. Alcohol free and reduced alcohol mouthwashes are suggested. After using mouthwash rinse with water to reduce residues and dryness.
A white discoloration of the tongue indicates that the mouthwash is being over used. When over used the mouthwash dries out the mucous layer of the tongue, upsets the ph and depletes the healthy and necessary bacteria of the mouth. Depletion of the healthy bacteria can result in thrush, a fungal infection indicated by a white carpet like layer on the tongue. Medications for thrush are only available with a doctor’s prescription. In some cases the condition of the mouth can be restored if the frequency of use is reduced. Some people have successfully treated minor thrush by rinsing with warm salt water containing a few drops of tea tree oil, which is said to be fungicidal.
Bleeding usually stops immediately with application of ice. The piercing may bleed intermittently during the next few hours. If the piercing does not clot or continues to bleed after 48 hours, consult your piercer or a medical professional. If the piercing bleeds while you sleep or upon waking the piercing may have become dry during the night causing the clot to adhere to the jewelry and reopen the piercing when the jewelry is moved. During the first 24 to 48 hours the tongue usually swells to almost twice its normal size. Swelling should not impede breathing. Apply ice and drink ice water to minimize swelling and tenderness. You may use over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medications to reduce swelling and discomfort. Do not take aspirin because it thins the blood. Swelling and discomfort should steadily recede during the next 3 to 5 days. The area immediately around the piercing will be swollen for an additional 2 to 4 weeks. The lymph nodes in the neck and under the jaw can respond to the piercing by becoming swollen and tender for a few days.
After the swelling has receded, warm salt-water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. Tongue piercing produce a discharge just as any other piercing. This discharge is sticky and white to off-white in color. A dark yellow to green discharge indicates an infection.
The inside entrance of lip, labret, and cheek piercing should be treated as described for tongue piercing. The outside of the piercing should be cleaned following instructions for facial piercing.
Do not allow your piercing to come in contact with another person’s bodily fluids. Avoid spicy or hot foods. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages during the first week; alcohol is a chemical irritant and thins the blood, which can cause excessive bleeding and swelling. Smoking can be irritating and prolong healing time, but does not necessarily damage a new piercing. Do not use any chewing tobacco during the healing stages of your oral piercing as it has been attributed to oral cancers and lesions.
It is recommended that you use a new toothbrush as your existing brush may harbor bacteria. Your jewelry will collect plaque, which traps bacteria and may cause odor. Daily use of an anti-plaque rinse will help prevent build-up.

RINSING SOLUTIONS

Biotine, Tech 2000, Rembrandt, and Oral-B are recommended. If you must use an alcohol-based mouthwash dilute 50% with distilled water.

SEA SALT SOAKS

Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 8 oz. of warm water into a disposable cup. A stronger solution is not better as you can irritate your piercing with too much salt.