Rinse your mouth 4-6 times a day for 60 seconds (after meals or after brushing your teeth)
A solution of 1 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt to one liter of bottled water can be mixed and used as an oral rinse
Spray with sterile saline solution (available at Facet, or most drug stores) twice per day
Gently rinse your piercing under warm water to soften any discharge and spray the area with sterile saline and allow it to absorb. If there are any remaining “crusties” around the piercing, they can be gently wiped away with a tissue or paper towel (avoid cotton swabs, and towels/wash cloths)
Oral piercings are quite prone to swelling initially, and longer jewelry will be used to accommodate this. Eat carefully and slowly to keep your teeth safe. Drink lots of cold water, and avoid spicy, salty or acidic foods for the first few weeks. A downsize will be necessary in 3-4 weeks once the swelling has subsided completely. This is the best way to help minimize potential risks to the health and safety of your teeth and gums.
THINGS TO AVOID:
Playing with your jewelry! While it’s easy to do with oral piercings, it can cause a lot of irritation, and can increase the risk of damage to your teeth. It can also cause the swelling to linger. Do your best to leave the piercing alone.
Avoid oral contact/sharing drinks or straws with anyone during the first month of healing. You have an open wound in your mouth and exposing it to anyone else's body fluids during the initial phase of healing can increase your risk of infection.
Touching your piercing! Our hands can carry a lot of bacteria, and touching your piercing can increase your risk of infection. If you must touch it, wash your hands first.
Harsh chemicals should be avoided during the entire healing process of your piercing. Things like whitening toothpaste or alcohol-based mouthwashes are too harsh for the healing tissue inside of your mouth while your piercing is fresh. Alcohol, peroxide, bactine, ear care solution, ointments and antibacterial soaps can cause undue irritation to a puncture wound and are not intended for this purpose.
Changing your jewelry before healing is complete. Piercings often feel healed long before they are, and oral piercings can close extremely quickly while they are healing. If you are not sure if it’s ready, please reach out, I’m always happy to assess it for you.
THINGS TO DO:
Buy yourself a new toothbrush. Toothbrushes can harbor a lot of bacteria, so it’s always nice to start fresh with your new piercing.
Eat carefully and slowly for the first few weeks until your jewelry is downsized. This can help avoid potential damage to your teeth and gums from biting down on your jewelry.
Drink plenty of cold water. Cold can help minimize swelling, and the better hydrated you are, the less you will swell.
Stick to soft, bland foods for the first couple of weeks.
Take care of your overall health. Eat well, rest well, avoid stress and take your vitamins! We often overlook our general health when it comes to our piercings, but a healthy body means a healthy immune system, and a happy healing piercing
Reach out if you have questions, and when you feel your piercing is ready for a downsize. No question is dumb, and no worry should be left to google or your friends to answer for you. I’m here to help throughout your entire healing process!
If your piercing suddenly becomes very swollen, hot to the touch, very painful or has excessive fluid draining from it, please schedule a checkup. These can be signs of infection, and a visit to the doctor may be necessary.
