It is advised to rinse your oral piercing with a non alcohol based mouthwash (Biotene, for example) no more than 2-3 times a day. It's always better to rinse after eating. Combine your daily aftercare routine with a mild salt water rinse twice daily spaced out between the mouthwash rinses. This salt solution you can make up yourself: Add a ¼ teaspoon of non iodized sea salt, available at most supermarkets, to a clean glass of freshly boiled demineralised (distilled) water. Allow to cool to lukewarm before rinsing in your mouth as hot water will aggravate your oral piercing, especially within the first few days. Rinse for about 15 seconds. To keep the remainder sterile, cover with glad wrap tightly or transfer the cooled solution to a plastic water bottle with a lid. If you'd like to make up a large quantity in advance for convenience or to carry with you throughout the day, a simple way to do this is to purchase a 1 liter size bottle of water and add 1 tsp of non-iodised salt, then shake it to dissolve.

Change to a new toothbrush, this will limit any bacteria that can be introduced into the mouth. A soft bristle is advised. It is quite rare, although not impossible to get an infection in the mouth due to the enzyme known as ptyalin. Overuse of any alcohol based products can kill this natural enzyme which will prolong your healing period.

As with any piercing, we suggest that you live as healthy a lifestyle as possible. A good diet & plenty of sleep can aid the healing considerably.

Eating is still possible! We say go gently at all times. Mashed potato and gravy, any blended fruit and vegetables, even solid foods (as long as food is cut up into small, manageable pieces and you gently direct the food into the back of your mouth using your fork or clean fingers).

What to expect during healing

During the first 3-5 days there will be a certain degree of discomfort. This is mainly due to any swelling that can occur. As we are all unique creatures, some people may experience minimal swelling. If you're not allergic and can use ibuprofen, take ibuprofen-based anti-inflammatory tablets (such as Nurofen, Advil etc.) as directed on the packet. If you have any doubts due to other medications or complaints, please check with your doctor or pharmacist. They will help to reduce swelling. Also, sucking on crushed ice will help reduce any swelling. Elevate your head slightly above your heart (propped up on pillows) for the first few nights sleep to help alleviate some of the initial swelling.

Do expect some bleeding, this is normal for any break of the skin. You may experience some spot bleeding for a couple of days. Some people may have bruising, which is temporary and you should not be alarmed.

A secretion from the top or bottom of your piercing is quite normal. This is usually a runny consistency and an 'off white' colour. It's only blood plasma, lymph and dead cells. Because our mouths are constantly moist this secretion doesn't get the chance to 'crust' as it would on facial or body piercing.

The glands in your throat may also swell slightly and you may experience some achiness during the first few days, which may come and go. Tenderness is normal and possibly some tightness and pinching sensation.

A 'furry' tongue is quite common, due to the salt rinses, gently brush your tongue with a soft bristle toothbrush to remove it. As plaque forms on our teeth it can also form on the jewellery, again gently brush your jewellery with a soft bristle toothbrush. You shouldn't need to remove the jewellery to clean it properly, especially not until the piercing has gone through the full healing period.

It is important to get your jewellery downsized after 2 1/2 weeks or so. We do not recommend downsizing before this period as the piercing needs time to strengthen and for the fistula to form. When we downsize, this means that we take out the initial longer jewellery, barbell or labret stud, and replace it with a shorter piece. This will reduce the risk of biting down on the jewellery and chipping your teeth, and it will feel much more comfortable. Remember some people take longer than others to heal, so please be patient.

If you take out the jewellery from your oral piercing you may find that it will shrink quite considerably or even close over within a short space of time. Tongues can partially close up within 20 minutes, so trying to get the barbell back in can be extremely painful. Please consult us if you need to remove the jewellery for any reason.

You may think that you have a healed piercing within a few days but you still need to follow these care instructions for a minimum of 3 weeks, even longer for lip/labret/cheek piercings.

Even after your oral piercing has fully healed and the down size has been performed, we recommend that you always carry with you a spare ball, just in case. It's a good idea to keep your spare jewellery in a small ziplock bag in your purse or wallet, as one is rarely at home when one loses their jewellery!

If you are fitting jewellery in the mirror above a sink, place a towel in the sink over the plug hole to avoid bouncing balls and escapees! We always have spares in stock in all shapes, sizes and materials!

What to avoid

Avoid alcohol for the first 3 - 5 days, alcohol thins the blood which can increase swelling.

Avoid large amounts of caffeinated drinks, Coca-Cola, or aspirin; as these also thin the blood. Also, avoid food and beverages that are hot in temperature. Spicy food, overly salty or acidic food (such as orange, pineapple or tomato juice) may aggravate your new piercing.

Reduce smoking or give up altogether, smoking can prolong the healing period and cause unnecessary problems. Avoid any recreational drug, as well! Use of marijuana in particular reduces salivary function and will prolong discomfort and extend your healing time.

Do not play with your piercing, if you have a new tongue piercing and wish to show someone, avoid sticking your tongue straight out as you may catch the ball on your teeth and cause tearing to occur. Instead, open your mouth and drop your jaw, keeping your tongue inside, they will be able to see the top ball quite easily. Anything in excess, such as talking and playing with your jewellery, will cause trauma to the piercing and may introduce ulceration, build up of scar tissue as well as other easily prevented problems.

Don't put anything dirty in your mouth, you have an open wound. Things like fingernails, pens, chewing tobacco, even chewing gum are advised against during the initial healing period.

Kissing and oral sex are out of the question, any exchanging of bodily fluids from another person is strongly advised against. Wait until the full healing process has taken place before resuming these activities!

Never touch or play with your piercing with unwashed hands, under any circumstances. Dirty hands harbour bacteria and can lead to complications.

Remember - we are all different and these instructions are to be used as a general guide to a successfully healed oral piercing. If you have any doubts or problems, however big or small, you should consult us immediately.

Extra info for individual piercings

Lip/labret/cheek/madonna piercing: All of these piercings require the same aftercare advice for facial & body piercing as well as the oral aftercare instructions, as the outside of the piercing will heal differently to the inside.

The back of the labret stud will form a little 'nest' or 'pocket' over the first few weeks, or longer depending on the person. A few layers of mucous membrane will form over the back of the labret stud but will die and drop off after a few days. Some people may require 2 - 3 down sizes, so to keep these down to a minimum, take extra care not to catch the jewellery on clothing, et cetera, and leave the initial jewellery in for a minimum 3 weeks. If the initial piece of jewellery is left in too long it may rub away at your gums.

History tells us that most lip piercings that are practised around the world are done with labret studs. They are made of materials such as wood, horn, bone, ivory & metal. Among certain tribes in South America and central Africa, the labret is stretched to the extreme and then a wooden or clay plate inserted. It is done for beauty or religious significance. Among the ancient Aztecs and Mayans it was for the male members of the higher castes.

Tongue piercing: History tells us that tongue piercing was practised in ritual form by the ancient Aztecs, Mayas of Central America, and the Haida, Kwakiutul & Tlinglit tribes of the American north west. The tongue was pierced to draw blood to propitiate the Gods and to create an altered state of consciousness so that the Priest or Shaman could communicate with the Gods

The Tongue piercing one of the most popular, it's shocking, provocative and pretty good for oral sex (for both sexes) and at the same time, no one needs to know that you have one!