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The Axiom Body Piercing Studioinside the Skin Kitchen / 2724 Douglas Ave / Des Moines, Ia 50310 / 515-255-4430 / cel 515-991-8180

Aftercare Instruction for Oral Piercings

This covers aftercare instructions for: Tongue, Lip, Cheek & Beauty Mark(with oral piercings also see Aftercare instructions for above the Neck 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, 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 our piercing within normal uses but only if you follow the following after care 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.

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 CLEANING:

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. With Labret, lip cheek, beauty mark and etc... piercing you must also follow the aftercare instructions for above the neck piercings. if you find yourself rinsing more then 10 times a day, it is best to dilute the biotene 50% with distilled water.

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP MY BODY TO HEAL THE PIERCING:

1. Being in good health, by eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.
2. Taking a Zinc Orate supplement for the First two weeks only (60mg for women/120mg for men) and 1000mg supplement of Mineral Absorbate of Vitamin. C three times daily. Always take supplements with meals.
3. After the swelling has reduce rinsing with sea salt and warm water (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) of sea salt per cup of warm water.(Should taste as salty as your own tears.) One to two times daily.

CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION: While the piercing is going through its first stage of healing it is like a portal into the body, so its important that the following steps be taken until the First stage of healing is complete:

1. No oral contact (including your own salvia) or exchanging of bodily fluids in/on or around the piercing for a minimum of 8 weeks. This means no deep month kissing or oral sex for 8 weeks!! Understand that even after the piercing is healed you are more acceptable to STDs during oral sex. So, when switching partners use a latex barrier (condoms, dental damns. gloves and/or finger clots).
2. Handle the jewelry only during cleaning and then only after washing your hands with an antibacterial soap and then only by the bead or ball. Avoid handling the piercing or jewelry after touching surfaces because it will increase the chances of cross contamination. You should wash hands then rinse and touch only the piercing.

Resizing JEWELRY & removing the jewelry:

Do to the fact that tongue and other oral piercing swell greatly, the jewelry that the piercing was done with is longer then needed. With tongue piercing the barbell needs to be downsized within 7-10 day to reduce damage to teeth, gums and the roof of your mouth. With other oral piercing the jewelry may or may not need to be resized. I suggest stopping into the studio for a follow up within 4 to 5 weeks.

With tongue piercing especially it is not unusual for the piercing to begin closing within 1 to 2 hours. If you like the piercing and want to keep leave something in it. other oral piercings may not close as quickly but better safe then sorry.

I suggest for the first year that you have a professional change the jewelry. It can be a little tricky and often forcing the jewelry can tear or dislodge the piercing tunnel. The Axiom and most studios will change & sterilize the jewelry for free, regardless of where it was bought.. We strongly suggest that even with a healed piercings you have it auto calved before inserting the jewelry. Often other studios and retailers will display their jewelry open in a case and allow the general public to handle the jewelry. This makes the jewelry prone to collecting bacteria amid other contaminants.

I do not suggest leaving plastic, acrylic or lucite jewelry in tongue piercing for long period of time. They have been know to shatter. Also shaped items, "door Knockers" & etc.... increase the likelihood of damage to teeth, gums & the roof of the month.

swelling & eating:

• swelling causes:intake of alcohol, tobacco, spicy food or food that are hot in temperature and/or other irritants. Playing with the piercing during the first 8 weeks can not only increase swelling but prolong the swelling period & can tearing or silting
• Reducing swelling:Avoiding the above , gently sucking on ice chips for the first 24 to 28 hours, drinking lots of cold liquids especially during the first few nights & taking ibuprofen.
• What foods are best:Cold items such as smothies, apple sauce, frozen yogurt, ice cream, mash potatoes(at room temperature), soup brooth(not tomato based & at room temperature) & etc.... It is best to stay on a soft foods diet until the swelling is reduced and then slowly wean yourself onto solid foods. Take your time and stick to simple foods like meat and potatoes.
• Yogurt & thrush:I highly suggest eating at least 2 to 3 cartons of yogurt a day to reduce the likelihood of thrush.

INFECTIONS CAUSES:

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi and/or other pathogen. This can be caused by contact with dirty hands,. oral contact (including your own salvia). Exchanging of bodily fluids, hair, cosmetics, oils, unwashed clothing/towels/bedding and/or submerging the piercings into Natural waters. hot tubs. swimming pools amid/or unclean bathtubs.

Signs of Infection:

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

Thrush:

Thrush is caused by a bacterial imbalance in the month. Thrush is a fungi that coats the tongue with a carpet like, white film. it is usually uncomfortable and has a odor to it. To reduce the chances of thrush avoid alcohol based month washes like listerine, dilute biotene if you are rinsing more then 10 times daily & eat lots of yogurt.

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 and/or other problems.

if you have any questions on the info inside this site feel free toe-mail me at davo@axiompiercing.com or you can contact me by phone at 515-255-4430 or cel 515-991-8180 or go to the contact page for more complete information