Captain Jack's Tattoo Studio

A normal oral piercing

• Swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the first part of healing an oral piercing. The majority of the swelling usually last for only 3-5 days. Any new piercing can bleed off and on for a few days. There can also be some temporary bruising or discoloration.
• Tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is normal. You may feel aching, pinching, and tightness off and on.
• Do not be alarmed if you see a yellowish secretion coming from the piercing. All healing piercing secrete blood, plasma, and lymph. It just looks different from the inside the mouth (It doesn't have a chance to dry and form a crust as it does on the body piercing).
• Plaque may form on tongue jewelry, commonly on the bottom ball. Scrub your barbell with a toothbrush.
• Piercing may have a tendency to seem healed and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire healing time, even if the piercing seems to have healed sooner.

How should I care for my piercing?

• Use any alcohol free mouthwash such as Toms of Maine or Biotin. Rinse mouth for 30-60 seconds with solution, if anything but water enters your mouth during the entire minimum initial healing time.
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) taken according to package instructions can reduce discomfort, and it can help diminish swelling the first few days. As well as gently sucking on ice.
• Try to go slowly when you eat and take small bites when you are getting used to your new jewelry. Cold foods and beverages feel great and can help diminish swelling. Drink plenty of liquids, especially bottled water.
• Also: Mild sea salt rinses work well for oral piercing. (1/4 teaspoon) non-iodized sea salt to one cup (8 oz.) warm to hot distilled water. Rinse mouth briefly (10-15seconds) with the mild sea salt mixture no more than twice a day. If you are cleaning to often, the top of your tongue will start to turn a white to yellowish color.

What to avoid

• No oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during the entire initial healing period.
• Reduce smoking or quitting is highly advisable when healing an oral piercing. Smoking increases risks and can lengthen the healing time.
• Stay away from aspiring, large amounts of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages for the first 3-5 days. These can cause additional swelling, bleeding and discomfort.
• Refrain from eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods and beverages for a few days.
• Do not play with the piercing, or click the jewelry against your teeth. Undue stress on the piercing can cause the formation of scar tissue, migration, and other complications

When you get a tattoo or piercing at Captain Jack's, it is performed by highly trained professionals who adhere to strict standards of proper sterile procedures and application in a modern studio. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call: (503) 236-8022.

Disclaimer: Please note this is to be used as a guide and is not intended as medical diagnosis, advice or prescribing. Seek the care of a medical care professional if you suspect an infection, have a temperature or experience any discomfort over what is customary for a tattoo or piercing.