|
The following pages and
the information below is from our book
on aftercare
available from us
free of charge
We have distributed over
50,000 books free of charge on aftercare over the past 10
years
|
 |
Cleaning Solutions
You should need only
two products to keep your mouth healthy during the healing phase of
your oral piercing.
1: Piercing Crystals, Given to you at the time of your piercing.
2 daily mild
rinses with piercing crystals is very important. Chew 5 piercing
crystals ten seconds followed by 1/8 cup (1 oz.) warm water. Rinse
with water 30 seconds and spit. Avoid hot water. In addition,
chew one dry piercing crystal after you place anything in your
mouth. Do this for the first 10 days. Very important!
2: Guns 2 Roses Mouthwash is recommended, available from us.
The cost is
$4.00 and it is the best mouthwash you can use. G2R mouthwash has
no alcohol that will destroy new cells trying to form. Rinse your
mouth with two squirts of G2R mouthwash after each meal, or twice a
day. Biotene is the second best alternative.
Cleaning Instructions
Rinse mouth for 30 seconds with
diluted mouthwash. (see Cleaning Solutions above) after meals during
the entire minimum initial healing time. Do not use more than 3
times daily.
Rinse mouth briefly (30 seconds)
with the mild salt mixture (see recipe above) twice daily and chew a
crystal after anything goes in your mouth except water or clean ice.
This includes the use of coffee, tea, soft drinks, all snacks, and
smoking during the entire initial healing time. Oral contact of any
type needs to by followed by the salt. You can do a salt cleaning as
many times each day as you wish!
What is normal
Swelling of the area is perfectly
normal during the first part of healing an oral piercing. It can be
greatly reduced by gently sucking (rather than chewing) on clean
ice. Chipped or shaved ice, or small cubes are best. The majority of
the swelling usually only lasts for 2-5 days.
Any new
piercing can bleed a little for a few days. There can also be
some bleeding under the surface
resulting in temporary bruising or discoloration. This is perfectly
normal and not indicative of any complication.
Some tenderness or discomfort in the
area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel aching,
pinching, tightness or other unpleasant sensations off and on for
several days or longer.
Don’t be alarmed if you see a fairly
liquid, yellowish-whitish secretion coming from the piercing. This
is plasma, lymph and dead cells which is normal. All healing
piercings secrete, it just looks different inside the mouth as it
doesn’t have a chance to dry and form a crust as it does on ear or
body piercings. This should not be pus, but indicates a healing
piercing.
Plaque may form on tongue jewelry,
commonly on the bottom ball and/or post. Scrub your barbell with a
firm toothbrush (gently during healing). If you are diligent with
oral hygiene the jewelry will not need to be removed for cleaning,
and it can usually be left in even for routine visits to the
dentist.
Piercings may have a tendency to
have a series of “ups and downs” during healing by seeming healed
and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during
the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed
sooner.
Each body is unique, and healing
times can vary considerably. If you have any questions, please
contact your piercer.
What to do
Try to sleep with your head propped
up on pillows during the first few nights of healing; keeping your
head above your heart will help to avoid much initial overnight
swelling.
An over-the-counter, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) taken
according to package instructions can reduce discomfort, and it can
also help to diminish swelling during the first few days.
Check twice daily with clean hands
to be sure the threaded ends on your jewelry are on tight. To clean
hands, wash them carefully with liquid antibacterial soap such as
Dial or Equate. If your hands aren’t freshly washed, don’t touch
yourself on or near any new or unhealed piercing.
Replace your toothbrush and make
sure to keep it clean so that everything that goes into your mouth
is hygienic while you are healing. A “sensitive” type of toothpaste
may be less irritating to your mouth during healing than a usual,
stronger variety.
Try to go
slowly when you eat and to take small bites when you are getting
used to your new jewelry. Cold foods and beverages feel great
and can help diminish swelling.
Drink plenty of liquids, especially cool bottled water.
Get enough sleep and eat a
nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be
for your piercing to heal.
Once initial swelling is down having
your piercer replace the post portion of bar style jewelry with a
shorter post may be wise. Jewelry which fits more closely is less
likely to irritate your mouth or get between your teeth and be
bitten. We will replace your bar with a shorter one for $15.00 and
teach you how to change it.
If you like your piercing leave
jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings can shrink or close
in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from
person to person, and even if your ear lobe piercings stay open
without jewelry your oral piercing may not!
Keep following the care procedures
during the entire minimum initial healing time, even if the piercing
seems healed sooner.
What to avoid
No oral sexual contact including
French (wet) kissing or oral sex during the entire initial healing
period, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. (If you had a
large cut you would not allow anyone to spit into it! This is
essentially the same thing.)
Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco,
fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc., during healing. Don’t share
plates, cups or eating utensils.
Reducing smoking or quitting is
highly advisable when healing an oral piercing. Smoking increases
risks and can lengthen the healing time. Avoid undue stress and
recreational drug usage.
Stay away from aspirin, large
amounts of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages for the first several
days. These can cause additional swelling, bleeding and discomfort.
Refrain from eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods
and beverages for a few days.
Do not play with the piercing for
the initial healing time beyond the necessary movement for speaking
and eating. The mouth withstands a lot of trauma from normal
speaking and eating. Try to avoid other disturbances such as
excessive talking, actively playing with the jewelry, or clicking
the jewelry against your teeth. Undue stress on the piercing can
cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue,
migration and other complications.
Even after healing, excessive play
with oral jewelry can result in permanent damage to teeth, gums, and
oral structures. Metal is harder than the human body; be gentle.
Do not use Listerine
or other mouthwashes which
contain alcohol. They will irritate the area and delay healing.
Don’t use too many different
products; select and use only one mouth wash & pure salt.
Oral Piercing Hints and Tips:
Some people will carry a spare ball
in their wallet or purse. This is particularly advisable if you wear
non-metallic balls such as acrylic, which is more fragile.
Tongue:
Try to focus on keeping your tongue
level in your mouth to avoid biting on the jewelry as you eat. Your
mouth is likely to feel “uncoordinated” at first, but this will pass
soon.
Try eating small bites of solid
foods by placing food directly into the molars with clean fingers or
a fork. Food that is already in the back of the mouth doesn’t have
to get moved there by your tongue.
Gently brush your tongue and jewelry
when you are healing. Once healed brush tongue and jewelry
thoroughly and vigorously to keep plaque away.
Lip/cheek:
Be cautious about opening your mouth
wide when you eat as this can result in the backing of the jewelry
catching on your teeth. Take small bites and go slowly at first.
The outside of the piercing may
become somewhat red or pink during healing and this is normal. Refer
to the “Aftercare Guidelines for Body and Facial Piercings” sheet
for instructions on how to care for the exterior surface of such a
piercing.
Disclaimer
These guidelines are based on a
combination of professional experience, common sense, research, and
extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a
substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Be aware, however, that
many doctors and dentists have no specific training or experience
regarding piercing and may not be educated on how to best assist
you. If you do get an infection, the jewelry should be left in, so
that pus can drain. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close
up, resulting in an abscess. LEAVE YOUR JEWELRY IN unless directed
to do so by your primary care physician knowledgeable in piercings!
More Information not in our book
(aren't you glad you hit our web page!)
Menu
