Aftercare Instruction for Oral Piercings

Thanks for choosing the Axiom for your piercing. We have preformed the piercing to insure the best results. Here at the Axiom we believe that our job isn’t done until the piercing is completely healed and that’s why we encourage follow ups and questions. If you turn this sheet over you will find all our contact information including: the studio number, our fax number, Davo’s cell number, our e-mail and web site address. If you have any question, please contact us or stop by the studio. It’s like my father used to say, “The only stupid question is one you don’t ask.” We do Guarantee out piercings for up to one year within normal uses but only if you follow the following aftercare instructions & have the receipt.

Here's what you will need to heal the piercing:

1.A non alcohol based antiseptic mouth wash. I suggest Biotene Antiseptic. Yogurt(see "What kinds of food are best")A good Antiseptic cleaner with an active ingredient of Bezalkonium. such as Sensitive Ear Care Solution, or Ear Care.

2.Non-iodized Sea Salt(see details below under, "What else can I do to help heal the piercing")

3.Mineral Supplement of Zinc and a Vitamin Supplement of C (see details below under, "What else can I do to help heal the piercing")

4.Yogurt(see details on page 2 under. "What kinds of food are best")A good Antiseptic cleaner with an active ingredient of Bezalkonium. such as Sensitive Ear Care Solution, or Ear Care.

Healing Stages: Healing can be divided into two stages:

1.During the first stage your body produces a tunnel of tissue around the piercing and the jewelry It is during this stage that the piercing is in fact an open wound and more prone to infections and growing shut. This information will cover the steps that need to be followed to reduce this. Due to the fact that everyone heals at different paces the healing time could be shorter or longer then the minimum healing time then listed. So if the piercing seems healed but you are unsure. stop by the piercing studio and ask a professional.

2.The second stage is called the seasoning or toughening period. during this stage your body adds layer upon layer of tissue to the tunnel to make the piercing permanent. This stage can take from I year to 3 years to complete and removing the jewelry for long periods of time can resulting the loss or closing of the piercing. A good rule is if you like the piercing leave something in it. Oral piercing are more prone then other piercing to closing even after a number of years.

NORMAL REACTIONS: Everyone's body reacts differently but common reactions are:

1.Slight bleeding off and on for the First few days.(especially with genital piercings.

2.Tenderness. itchiness, slight bruising and slight redness for the First week to two weeks on or around the piercing.

3.A secretion of a yellowish/whitish fluid that Hangs on the ring throughout the healing time called lymph Discharge.

4.A tightening around the jewelry throughout the healing time.

5.swelling for the first 3-5 days.

6.A white ring of tissue around the piercing holes. This is scar tissue.

Basic Care:

After ingesting anything other then distilled water, you must rinse with an alcohol free antiseptic mouth wash such as biotene(alcohol free) for 30 seconds after snacks & 60 seconds after meals. if you find yourself rinsing more then 10 times a day, it is best to dilute the biotene 50% with distilled water.

With Labret, lip cheek, beauty mark and etc... piercing you must also follow the aftercare instructions for above the neck piercings.

What else can I do to help heal the piercing:

1.Being in good health, eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing the amount of stress in you life.

2.Taking a Zinc Orate supplement for the First two weeks only (60mg daily for women/120mg daily for men) and 500mg to 1000mg supplement of Mineral Absorbate of Vitamin C daily(if you smoke you may want to double it). Always take supplements with meals.

3.After the swelling has reduced warm sea salts rinses can also be helpful (1/8 teaspoon of sea salts per cup of water should be as salty as your one tears).

Swelling:

Swelling can greatly be reduced by reducing you intake of alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods or foods that are hot in temperature and/or other irritants.

Also gently sucking on crushed ice and drinking ice water.

Taking ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Do not take ibuprofen on an empty stomach. SWELLING (especially with tongues)..

What kinds of food are best?

1.Cold items such as smothies, apple sauce, frozen yogurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes (at room temperature) baby food, jell-O and soup broth (not tomato based and at room temperature).

2.It is also best to stay to a soft food diet until the swelling reduces and then only eat solid food when comfortable and always be careful to take your time. If it takes you half an hour to eat one meal it’s better then causing damage to your teeth and/or gums.

3.Also, I strongly suggest eating 2 to 3 cartons of yogurt a day. Yogurt can reduce the likelihood of Thrush.

Removing The Jewelry & Down Sizing:

With Tongue piercings, the jewelry length should be reduced within 7 -10 days.

Do not remove the jewelry for any reason while it is healing and even after it is healed only remove the jewelry to replace it because you produce tissue in your mouth at such a fast pace it is not uncommon to remove the jewelry for short periods and cause the hole to close even on healed piercings.

Precautions & abuse:

Check the tightness of the balls if the jewelry is a barbell before and after every meal and before and after you sleep to avoid ball loss.

Do not play/pull or over handle the piercing until it is fully healed. Do keep in mind that playing with the piercing even after it is healed will increase chances of damage to teeth, bones and gums.

Cross Contamination Prevention:

No oral contact/wet mouth kissing and sexual contact with the piercing for the first 8 week. Understand that even with a well healed oral piercing that you are more acceptable to S.T.D.s during oral sex. So, please practice Safe Sex.

Also avoid putting things in tour mouth that may introduce harmful bacteria including unwashed hands, pens, tooth picks, etc......

Always wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before handling the piercing or jewelry.

INFECTIONS:

CAUSES:

Infection is caused by contact with bacteria fungi and/or other pathogens. These can be caused by contact with dirty hands. Oral contact (including your one saliva) exchanging of bodily fluids, hair cosmetics, oils, unwashed clothing/bedding/towels and or submerging the piercing into natural waters, hot tubs, swimming pools and or unclean bath tubs.

Signs:

Redness, discoloration, swelling, heat/fever, on or around the piercing, pain that is throbbing and/or shooting/travels, pus and/or discharge that is unusual in color like grayish, yellowish and/or greenish.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

First off contact your piercer so they can take a look at it.

The two worst things that you can do is put off getting it taken care of and/or removing the jewelry. Both can cause the infection to spread if not taken care of.

Whenever in doubt see your doctor.

Thrush:

Do to the fact that you are rinsing a great deal more then you would do normally you have a higher risk of a fungi infection called thrush. Thrush will coat your tongue with a white fiber like substance, can have a odor and can be uncomfortable. You can greatly reduce the risk by making sure you are rinsing not more then 15 times daily with Biotene or other Alccohol free antispetic mouth washes, eating 2 to 3 cartons of yogurt a day and make sure that you are not on any anti-biotics while you are rinsing that often.