Piercing Aftercare:

Suggested Aftercare for Piercings:

Use one or both of the following solutions for inside the mouth:

~Antimicrobial or antibacterial, ALCOHOL-FREE mouthwash (Biotene)

~Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives or a non-iodized (iodine free) sea salt mixture. This can be made by taking 9g non iodized sea salt into 1 liter of water.A stronger solution is NOT better! Saline that is too strong can irritate your piercing.

Note: If you have a high blood pressure or a heart condition, please check with your doctor before using a saline product as your primary cleaning solution)

Rinse your mouth with cleaning solution for 30 seconds after meals and at bedtime (4-5 times) daily during the entire healing period. Cleaning too often or with a rinse that is too strong can cause discoloration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.

Cleaning Instructions for and Exterior Oral Piercing (Cheek, lip, labret Monroe etc)

Soak in saline solution and/or wash with a mild fragrance free hand soap free of dyes, and scrubby beads.

WASH HAND THROUGHLY BEFORE CLEANING OR TOUCHING YOUR PIERCING FOR ANY REASON.

~Soak your piercing at least 2-3 times a day . You may soak the piercing directly in a cup of warm saline solution for 5-10 minutes. With certain piercing placement, it may be easier to soak a gauze pad and apply it to the effected area for the allowed time. Rinse briefly upon removing to get rid of any residue.

~ Use soap on your piercing no more that once or twice a day (while showering is usually sufficient). Lather up a pea sized drop of soap with water and apply on and around the piercing. Remove within 30 seconds. Soap can cause irritation and impede healing, so be sure to remove all traces of soap promptly and throughly.

~Dry by gently patting dry with a clean, disposable paper towel

Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry which can lead to injury or loss of jewelry.

What is Normal?

~For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness

~After that: mild swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid (not pus!)

~A Piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in! Although it may feel fine, the tissue will remain fragile for several weeks before the healing process is complete. BE PATIENT! Keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period)

To help reduce swelling:

~Ibuprofen, as directed on the label

~Avoid playing with your jewelry

~ For the first few nights after getting pierced, sleep with your head elevated above your heart to further aid in the reduction of swelling.

To maintain Good Oral Hygiene:

~ Use a new toothbrush and store in a location away from other toothbrushes.

~Brush teeth and and use your chosen rinse after each meal

~ During healing, floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue, and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more frequently to avoid plaque build up.