Do not touch your piercing with dirty hands!!!

Cleaning

1.	Rinse your mouth with diluted Tech 2000- or Valhalla-mouthwash, for a minimum of 30 sec.
2.	Repeat twice a day.
3.	Rinse your mouth with mild saltwater (¼ tsp. of seasalt in 2 dl/8 oz water) every time you eat or drink something. You can do this several times a day.
4.	Keep your piercing clean (buy a new toothbrush!)

Eat soft foods (soup, yogurt etc.) the first couple of days. Then you can try for example pasta or mashed potatoes. Take it easy and let your tongue get used to the piercing. Avoid hot drinks, spicy food, cigarettes, alcohol and everything else that might irritate the piercing.

Your health
Eat a healthy diet, sleep and exercise. Supplement with multivitamins and zinc (15-50 mg/day).

What is normal?

1.	It is normal to experience some swelling in the tongue. Drinking ice water, gently sucking on ice cubes or crushed ice, sleeping with your head propped up, and ibuprofen can help in keeping the swelling down.
2.	Bleeding or bruising around the piercing is normal.
3.	A new piercing is always sore, and can feel uncomfortable for several days.
4.	During the healing period your piercing secretes blood plasma, which is a clear, white or yellowish liquid. Because the inside of your mouth is wet, it does not dry on your jewelry like in other piercings.
5.	You may notice plaque forming (especially on the lower ball). When you brush your teeth, brush also your jewelry!
6.	The piercing's condition may vary during the healing period with no obvious reason.

Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs etc. Remember to check every day that the balls on your jewelry are tight. (Wash your hands first!) Avoid oral contact during the healing period.

Do not remove the jewelry, as the piercing can close up in just minutes. If you have to remove it because of a visit to the dentist etc., contact us.

During the healing period
Come for a check-up after two weeks. It is important to change to a shorter barbell as soon as it is possible. Too long jewelry may cause damage to your teeth and gums. Do not play with your jewelry for 8 weeks. The piercing may feel healed after a couple of weeks, but it is not! Excessive moving and pulling can result in scar tissue on your tongue. Avoid even chewing gum. Do not change your jewelry too early. The wrong kind or size of jewelry can slow the healing process. If you have questions, contact us.