What is Normal

Swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the first part of healing an oral piercing. It can be greatly reduced by gently sucking (rather than chewing) on clean ice. Chipped or shaved ice, or small cubes are best. The majority of the swelling usually lasts for only 3-5 days.

Any new piercing can bleed off and on for a few days. There can also be some bleeding under the surface resulting in temporary bruising or discoloration. This is perfectly normal and not indicative of any complication.

Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing in not unusual. You may feel aching, pinching, tightness or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer.

Don’t be alarmed if you see a fairly liquid, yellowish secretion coming from the piercing. This is blood plasma, lymph and dead cells which is perfectly normal. All healing piercings secrete, it just looks different inside the mouth as it doesn’t have a chance to dry and form a crust as it does on ear or body piercings. This is not puss, but indicates a healing piercing.

Plaque may form on tongue jewelry, commonly on the bottom ball and/or post. Scrub your barbell with a soft bristled toothbrush (gently during healing). If you are diligent with oral hygiene the jewelry will not need to be removed for cleaning, and it can usually be left in even for routine visits to the dentist.

Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of ups and downs during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

Each body is unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact Ain’t That Art.

Once initial swelling is down, having your piercer replace the post portion of your bar style jewelry with a shorter post may be wise. Jewelry which fits more closely is less likely to irritate your mouth or get between your teeth and be bitten.

If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. This varies from person to person, and even if your ear lobe piercings stay open without jewelry, your oral piercing may not.

Keep following the care procedures during this entire minimum initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.