Oral Piercing Care
Healing time is approximately 2 to 4 months.
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing or jewelry.
Cleaning the ouside entrance:
Clean the outside entrance of your piercing twice a day using a fragrance-free liquid anti-bacterial soap.
Suggested name brands include:
- Provon (active ingredient: chloroxylenol/PCMX)
- Satin (active ingredient: chloroxylenol/PCMX)
- Softsoap (active ingredient: triclosan)
Soaps containing PCMX have been tested to be more effective against a broader ranger of bacteria and yeast than soaps containing triclosan.
Over-cleaning can irritate the piercing so do not clean more often unless the piercing has been exposed to dirt, sweat or bodily fluids. Saline solution may be used to remove dried discharge between cleanings.
Cleaning the outside entrance:
Wash and rinse your hands. While showering or bathing, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the soapy ather on the piercing for no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not unnecessary to rotate the jewelry. Dry the piercing using a disposable tissue or cotton swabs. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Do not use a washcloth or sponge to clean your piercing. Cloths and sponges trap and collect bacteria and mildew.
Avoid using antiseptics containing benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride, such as Bactine or ear piercing solutions. These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care. Do not use a solution containing isopropyl alcohol. DO NOT use Betadine (povidone-iodine), isopropyl rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Hibiclens to clean your piercing. DO NOT use antibiotic ointments. Antibiotic ointments are contraindicated for use in puncture would and for the extended period of time required for healing a piercing. Ointments do not clean the piercing, and they prohibit the air flow required for healing.
Saline solution, or a non-iodized sea salt mixture, are also good cleaning alternatives.
After the healing process is complete, you should continue to clean your piercing once a day as part of your bathing or showering routine to prevent build-up of dirt and dead skin cells.
Cleaning the inside entrance:
Rinse with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating or drinking anything other than water. Alcohol-free Biotene, Rembrandt, and Tech 2000 mouthwashes are suggested. Listerine is not recommended because of its higher alcohol content and frequency of usage. After using the mouthwash, rinse with water to remove the mouthwash residues.
Other Tips:
Reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking at all is better. Use of chewing tobabbo products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercings, new or healed. Avoid consuming very hot of spicy foods and drinks during the healing period.
Labret studs accumulate plaque around the disc. Plague traps bacteria and can be irritating. Using an anti-plaque rinse will usually prevent this accumulation.
Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process. This includes wet kissing and oral sex. The most frequent causes of infection are touching the piercing or the jewelry with unwashed hands or contact with unclean items such a bedding, or hair. Do not allow your piercing to come into contact with cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, or hairsprays. Be careful and avoid friction from clothing, excessive motion of the piercing area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other assorted complications.
Get a new toothbrush; an old toothbrush is haven for bacteria. Do not chew on pens or other items, or share eating utensils and glasses. Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling.
