Artistic impressions

TONGUE PIERCING AFTERCARE
A piercing is healed by your body, not by the cleaning agents you put on it.
Aftercare helps your body be in an optimum state for healing. This meanskeeping the area clean and free of contaminants. Independent of the care you give thepiercing, you should eat well and be well rested to help your body heal. A healthy dietincluding a multivitamin with up to 3000 mg. of vitamin C daily is important.
Yellow medicated Listerine should be used to care for a tongue piercing. Rinse mouth for 30-60seconds with the Listerine after meals, beverages (except water) and smoking during the entire initialhealing period. A new soft bristled toothbrush should be used to help reduce the bacteria that isintroduced into your mouth. Be sure to check the balls of your barbell for tightness often. We are notresponsible for lost or swallowed balls.
Try to go slowly when you eat and take small bites when you are getting used to your new jewelry.
Soft foods are best at first. Cold foods and beverages feel great and can help diminish swelling. Drinkplenty of liquids.
WHAT IS NORMAL
Considerable swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the healing process. It can be greatlyreduced by gently sucking on clean ice whenever possible. You may also take an anti-inflammatorysuch as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) to reduce swelling. These products can be found over thecounter at any drug store –please be sure you have no allergies before taking them.
Some tenderness or discomfort in the area is not unusual. You may feel aching, pinching, ortightness off and on during the healing process.
plasma, histamine and dead cells which is perfectly normal. All healing piercings secrete it, it justlooks different inside a chance to dry and form a crust. This is not pus, Plaque may form on tongue jewelry, commonly on the bottom ball and/or post. Scrub your barbellgently with a soft bristled toothbrush. If you are diligent with oral hygiene the jewelry will not need tobe removed for cleaning, and it can usually be left in even for routing visits to the dentist.
Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of ups and downs during healing by seeming healedand then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire healing time, even if thepiercing seems healed sooner.
Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably.
Once initial swelling is down, you should consider having a shorter barbell put in. Jewelry which fitsmore closely is less likely to irritate your mouth or get between your teeth and be bitten.
This Document is Artistic Impressions Tattooing & Piercing. All Rights Reserved.
WHAT TO AVOID
 No oral sex during the initial healing period.
 Avoid chewing gum or tobacco during healing.
 Stay away from aspirin, large amounts of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages for the first several days. These can cause additional swelling and discomfort.
 Refrain from eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods and beverages for the first  Do not play with the piercing for the initial healing time beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. Try to avoid excessive talking, actively playing with the jewelry, or clickingthe jewelry against your teeth. Undue stress on the piercing can cause the formation ofunsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration and other complications.
 Do not remove your jewelry unless it is absolutely necessary even after you are healed.
Tongue piercings can shrink or close within minutes.
*If you have any further questions, please contact us- we welcome all calls. Do not take advice
from others, including doctors - they are not educated in regards to body piercing.
questions you may have.
This Document is Artistic Impressions Tattooing & Piercing. All Rights Reserved.

Source: http://www.artisticimpressions.ca/index_htm_files/aftercare_tongue_piercing.pdf