AFTERCARE - ORAL PIERCINGS

Your piercing was performed professionally and appropriately. Follow these simple suggestions, and your healing period should go smoothly. Although not physicians, the piercers at Cort's Royal Ink are available whenever you have questions about aftercare. Please call us any time!

A Normal Piercing

How Should I Clean My New Piercing?

Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching the area.

After eating, smoking, or putting anything in your mouth, you need to rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. Most people use Listerine or Biotene (which is alcohol-free). You should dilute your mouthwash 50%-75% with water to avoid damaging your new skin cells.

You will also need to disinfect the piercing. Exactly twice a day, place a few drops of GlyOxide (carbamide peroxide) or Peroxyl (hydrogen peroxide) on the piercing. Let it foam, them swirl it around in your mouth and spit it out. DO NOT OMIT THIS STEP!!

If you have a lip piercing, you also must clean the outside with Ear Care (benzalkonium chloride). Use a cotton swab to remove any crusted matter and work solution into the piercing.

Sea salt rinses (1/4 tsp sea salt per cup of water) are fine as a supplement, but do not replace antibacterial mouthwashes.

What Else Can I Do?

Many piercees have found that Vitamin C (3000 mg in mineral ascorbate form), multi-vitamins, and a Zinc supplement (women: 60 mg, men: 120 mg, for about two weeks) speed healing and regeneration of tissue.

Cut down or stop smoking. Smokers may experience a considerably longer healing time.

Suck on ice cubes for the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling. You may also wish to take an anti-inflammatory nonprescription medication such as Advil (ibuprofin).

Don't be in a hurry to downsize your jewelry (get a smaller or shorter piece). You're ready to size down when there's about an extra 1/4" of room on the post or ring first thing in the morning. Your piercer will know when it's time for a downsizing.

Latex barriers should be used to protect the piercing from body fluids, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

When Can I Remove or Change the Jewelry?

Your piercing will not be completely healed for several years. Even after the piercing has healed, reinsertion can be difficult and sometimes impossible, especially in nipple piercings. Women's nipple piercings may take slightly longer to heal.

Except for downsizing, jewelry should not be changed during the initial healing period, usually about 6-10 months. Be sure to always wear appropriate jewelry in your piercings, even when fully healed. Jewelry designed for earlobes is never appropriate, and can damage your piercing.

If you must remove the jewelry temporarily, call your piercer, or use an insertion taper lubricated with a little antibiotic ointment to insert a piece of uncolored monofilament nylon. Weed-eater or fishing line work well. 160 lb test is equivalent to 14-12 gauge. This will retain the piercing until you can reinsert the jewelry.

It's no problem to permanently remove the jewelry. In most cases, only a small indentation will remain. We encourage you to call your piercer. She/he will be happy to assist you.

Do I Have an Infection?

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi, or other living pathogens. Piercing infections can usually be traced to one of the following activities:

How Can I Tell if I Have an Infection?

While these symptoms may also indicate other problems, look for the following indications of infection:

I Think I Have an Infection. What Should I Do?

While it's never inappropriate to see your piercing-friendly physician, a call to your piercer may save you a trip. If possible, visit your piercer and show him/her the piercing. Also tell him/her about any circumstances which may have led to an infection.

Please don't remove the jewelry! This may aggravate the problem by closing off the drainage for the matter.

The effectiveness of an oral antibiotic depends on selecting the right one for the job. This should only be done by a physician! If you have used an over the counter topical antibiotic ointment before without adverse effects, it may be appropriate to use sparingly, for no more than 3-5 days. Many people are very sensitive to antibiotics, particularly neomycin; Bacitracin is the least problematic ointment.

Common Problems You Can Avoid.

Over cleaning, vigorous cleaning, or using a cleanser that is too strong can produce symptoms very similar to an infection. The skin may be very tender and appear shiny, and there may be a clear discharge.

Friction caused by tight or heavy clothing, rough sexual activity, or excessive movement of the area can cause dark redness, keloids, discharge, and rejection/migration. This is a common problem for navel piercings.

Stress, poor diet, or illness can cause longer healing times, or migration of the piercing

Reactions to the metals used in Gauntlet jewelry are extremely rare. Often, a cleanser reaction or other problem is mistaken for a metal allergy. The area may feel hot and sore, like a low-grade infection, or the body may attempt to pull away from the metal, resulting in a large, growing cavity.

Occasionally, the selected jewelry may not be appropriate. This may or may not be due to circumstances that occurred after the piercing. If the jewelry is too thin or too heavy, too large or too small in diameter, or not the appropriate style (a barbell instead of a ring, for example), you may experience healing problems. Contact your piercer if you suspect that you may need different jewelry.

Estimate Initial Healing Times.

Everyone heals at a different rate. These are the average times for which you should clean your piercing twice daily and treat it like new, healing tissue. Remember that even after the initial healing period, your piercing will still need one full year or longer to completely heal(toughen up). Always treat the piercing with care and gentleness.