I think everyone is failing to understand the way bacteria functions in your mouth...
Alcohol in the mouthwash is important for the first 10 days because the purpose is to suppress the bacteria growth in the mouth. You do not swollow it; just rinse with it. Some places believe that alcohol is not good but it is the ingredient that suppresses the bacteria.
Keep your mouth clean with your new piercing. Floss daily, brush in the morning and before bed, and rinse your mouth EVERY 2 HOURS for the first 10 days with undiluted Original (yellow) Listerine. On day 11, switch to a mintier flavour like, blue Listerine, OralB, Crest Pro-Rinse...whatever floats your boat.
While it is important to suppress a certain amount of bacteria to promote the healing of your piercing, you also need bacteria to keep the yeast (Candidiasis) in check. If there is not enough bacteria to maintain the bacteria yeast balance, the yeast overgrowth results in a condition known as "THRUSH", essentially, a yeast infection of the mouth. It seems that everyone thinks he she has thrush the second he she has a little white in their mouth.
Symptoms of thrush include that white yellowish tinge on your tongue ACCOMPANIED by one or more of the following: a sticky film in the mouth, pain, itching, burning, painful swelling...none of which are related to the actual piercing.
If the only symptom you have is a discolouration of the tongue, be it white, yellow or brown, this is a sign of the balance in your mouth being thrown off; but you do not have thrush.
If you have more than discolouration, then you should purchase AMOSAN made by OralB. Follow the directions on the package, but only use it 2 or 3 times, or until you notice the color of your tongue return to normal. Then, ease back into using the antibacterial rinse. Mouth feeling really dry from all of this? Grab some Biotene mouthwash to restore some of the natural ecology in your mouth. Simple.
Look folks, it really isn't rocket science. You are simply trying to make it as easy as possible for your body to heal. Keep your mouth clean while disrupting its natural ecology as little as possible. Be gentle on your piercing; don't play with it. Boost your immunity; take a multi-vitamin, get a little exercise and sleep well. Your body is amazing at telling you what's going on, so just pay attention.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STICK WITH ONE PRODUCT ONLY, as many sites would have you believe. Also, if you have signs of these symptoms - thick yellow or green pus, severe redness and or inflammation, fever - please do NOT remove your jewelery - see your doctor as soon as possible.
I hope this helps some of you!
