FAQ - BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE

GENERAL AFTERCARE

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The risk of exposure to infection can be controlled during the piercing procedure by the use of sterile tools, jewelry and needle, and a thorough understanding and implementation of aseptic technique. Entirely vital for avoiding infection during healing is the cooperation of the piercee in caring for the piercing properly.

· The piercer must thoroughly explain aftercare protocol, including providing written and verbal guidelines detailing the use of antimicrobial alcohol-free mouth rinses and sea salt rinses.
· Don't share plates, eating utensils, cups, and such.
· Replace your toothbrush and make sure to keep it extra clean during healing.
· Keep dirty fingers, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects away from the mouth and face.
· Avoid excessive talking, playing with the jewelry, and all oral sexual contact during healing.

What About Swelling?
Most piercees report little or no bleeding and a minimum of swelling for a few days when the piercing is performed properly and approved care guidelines are followed.
· Gently sucking on chipped or shaved ice can diminish swelling during initial healing
· Elevation of the head above the heart while sleeping (use several pillows) may minimize initial overnight swelling
· The use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen taken according to package instructions may limit the extent of initial swelling.

Isn't the Mouth Dirty?
Although often cited, this concern may not be as valid as expected.The extremely short healing time of the average oral piercing provides a much smaller window of opportunity for exposure to external infection than do many other common piercings. For instance, a tongue piercing usually heals in 4 6 weeks, compared to 6 9 months or longer for a navel piercing.

As the main 'entry portal' for any material entering the body, the oral cavity is exposed to a variety of toxins, bacteria, and other noxious substances on a near-constant basis. Drinking or eating anything contaminated with disease-causing microbes can potentially cause illness and infection. Breathing air that contains airborne pathogens may lead to other types of systemic disease. Why then are we relatively healthy despite this continual microbial assault? The answer lies in the design of the oral cavity and its defensive strategies. Salvia contains numerous antimicrobial factors that directly attack and deactivate harmful microbes. Among them:
· Lysozyme
· Lactoferrin
· Salivary peroxidase
· Myeloperoxidase
· Agglutinins
· Immunoglobulins ('antibodies')

Because saliva is produced only within the oral cavity, the mouth is at a distinct advantage over other parts of the body when it comes to warding off infection. Oral mucosa has an extremely high 'turnover rate' which makes it one of the fastest healing sites in the body. This fast turnover rate allows oral mucosa to maintain its structural integrity by a system of continuous cell renewal in which cells are produced by cell division, migrate to the surface of the tissue, and replace those cells which are shed. Cellular turnover rates for oral mucosa of the cheek is 25 days compared to 52-75 days for skin.

Because the head and neck region houses a highly concentrated system of veins, arteries and lymph vessels allowing for rapid transportation of these anti-infective agents, infectious agents can be attacked and dealt with in a swift manner. When a piercing in the oral cavity is performed, infection rates are negligible when sterile equipment, proper aseptic protocol and appropriate jewelry selection are combined with conscientious aftercare. This requires the education of both the piercer and the client, and with cooperation can ensure a safe and successful experience.

Information is the Key
Unsafe, unethical, and uneducated piercers thrive in areas where complete, accurate information is not made available to both the general public and those who seek to protect them. Making oral piercings illegal forces consumers who still seek them to patronize unregulated, underground establishments. Only by supporting the dissemination of accurate information and the efforts of conscientious professionals can the risks of piercing truly be controlled.

To disparage the efforts of a burgeoning profession without full and appropriate information is not an accurate or helpful response. Since many individuals still desire oral piercings and intend to get them, it is far more constructive to provide accurate information and specific guidelines on safe piercing procedure and how to choose a practitioner. The APP is a non-profit organization dedicated to health, education and safety of piercers and the public. We are a group of committed professionals who uphold an extremely high standard of safety and hygiene. We support the development of appropriate regulations and standards to ensure the improvement of our art form and the continued safety of our clientele.

REFERENCES 1. Department of Cariology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku (Finland): Salivary peroxidase systems and lysozyme in defense against cariogenic microorganisms. Lenager-Lumikari (1992) 2. Ten Cate AR: Oral histology: Development, structure, and function (2nd ed). C.V. Mosby Company (St. Louis). 1985 3. Staines N, Brostoff J and James K: Introducing immunology (2nd ed). C.V. Mosby Company (St. Louis). 1994.