The most important factor in healing an oral piercing is good oral hygiene; if you smoke, drink alcohol, or eat very spicy foods, these should be kept to a minimum as they will slow healing and prolong swelling. A rinse with saltwater after either will reduce (but not eliminate) the harm these can do to a healing oral piercing. If you use an alcohol based mouthwash such as Listerine, discontinue use until after the piercing has healed, as the alcohol will prolong the swelling. During the healing period, rinsing with salt water after eating or drinking will remove food debris and bacteria from inside the mouth.
Mix for salt water:
Mix 1/4 tsp. Of sea salt (not table salt) with 8oz. Of water. Or, 1/2 tsp with 500ml (1/2 a liter) of water. Filtered or distilled water is best. You can warm the mixture by microwaving it briefly.
Tongue piercings:
The tongue is likely to feel swollen and sore around the area of the piercing for a week or more, which can make speaking and eating some foods more difficult. Try to eat foods requiring as little chewing as possible, for your own comfort, as well as minimizing stress to the piercing. Rinse with salt water after eating or drinking anything but water. Drinking cold drinks or holding some crushed ice in the mouth, and ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin) will reduce the swelling temporarily. The piercing may produce a small amount of white or yellow fluid called lymph during healing. This is normal, and regular saltwater rinsing will remove this discharge.
Lip and labret piercings:
These piercings require care both inside and outside the mouth. For the inside of the mouth, rinse with salt water after eating or drinking anything but water. The outer skin of a healing piercing may appear slightly red (this is blood flowing to the area to make new tissue), and may discharge a small amount of white or yellow fluid called lymph. Lymph will dry on the outside of the piercing, and will need to be cleaned away periodically as it will harbor bacteria if neglected. Regular showering will remove this dried discharge, and during the day, use a saltwater soak to remove any buildup of discharge. Saltwater soaks are required when the piercing is dirty or has dried discharge, or to soothe the piercing in case of accidental injury or irritation. Saturate some paper towel with the saltwater, and hold it on the piercing like a compress, until the water feels cold. You may then gently clean off the area, and gently pat dry with tissue or paper towel. If soap is used on the area, an unscented or pure glycerin soap is preferable.
Important things to remember:
All oral piercings carry a risk of damage to the teeth and gums. One way to minimize this risk is to wear properly fitted jewelry once the swelling is entirely gone. Please come back to us for a correct sizing.
Do not apply alcohol, peroxide, or other chemicals to the piercing. These will dry the skin, and kill off newly forming tissue, slowing the healing, rather than helping it.
Infection in piercings is actually quite uncommon, but if it happens, it should be taken seriously. If a piercing is in fact infected, the jewelry ought not to be removed, as this will trap the infected matter under the skin. Common signs of infection are a dark yellow or green discharge from the piercing, excessive redness (for lip and labret piercings) and prolonged swelling and pain in the piercing. If you have any problems, please contact us immediately, bearing in mind that only a doctor can diagnose and treat infection.
