SUGGESTED AFTERCARE FOR ORAL PIERCING
Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably.
If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE THE MOUTH
~Rinse mouth with an Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse for 30 seconds after meals and at bedtime (4-5 times daily) during the entire healing period. Cleaning too often or with too strong a rinse can cause discoloration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXTERIOR OF LABRET (CHEEK AND LIP) PIERCINGS
~WASH your hands thoroughly prior cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
~WASH with a pearl-sized drop of mild, fragrance-free, anti-microbial or germicidal liquid soap for 30 seconds (1-2 times daily).
~RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap/saline from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
~DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry causing injury.

**Soaking or spraying the piercing with a saline solution can help your piercing heal faster but it DOES NOT replace soap.

WHAT IS NORMAL?
~For the first 3-5 days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising and/or tenderness.
~After that: Some 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, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
~ Even a healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in – do not leave it empty.

WHAT TO DO
To Help Reduce Swelling:
~Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
~Don’t speak or move your jewelry more then necessary.
~Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene:
~Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and store it in a clean area away from other toothbrushes.
~Brush your teeth and use your chosen rinse (saline or mouthwash) after every meal, and rinse with water after smoking.
~Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
~During healing floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plague build up.

EATING
~Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto your molars.
~Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
~Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.
~Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewelry.
~FOR A TONGUE PIECRING, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewelry can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.
~FOR LABRET (CHEEK AND LIP) PIECRING: be cautious about opening your mouth to wide as this can result in the jewelry catching on your teeth.

WHAT TO AVOID
~Do NOT play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures.
~Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing process can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.
~Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
~Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner)
~Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.
~Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
~Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
~Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.
~Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling.
~Avoid submerging healing piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.