Lip Ring Tips

A new lip piercing allows you to express your individual sense of style. The addition to your new look is not without risks. The procedure is generally safe if performed by an experienced professional who uses good piercing practices, but even with all safety precautions taken, complications can happen. Be smart and learn what to look for when selecting a piercer, know the after-piercing complication signs to look for, and find out how to take care of your piercing.

Getting a Lip Ring

The most important issue when getting a lip ring is choosing a professional piercer who uses sterile equipment and procedures. Because the process of piercing the lip causes an open wound, the risk of HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne pathogens transmission is present. The use of sterile equipment and hygienic practices minimizes the risk of blood-borne transmission. The American Institute for Preventive Medicine recommends choosing a piercer certified by the Association of Professional Piercers to ensure the piercer has been trained on proper sterilization techniques and piercing practices.

The piercer should wear sterile gloves; use an unused disposable piercing needle; and not use a piercing gun, as a piercing gun cannot be properly sterilized. The piercer should insert a sterile lip ring into the new piercing site. Proper lip ring jewelry should be selected to minimize irritation, allergic reaction and infection. Dentist Troye Peticolas and his associates recommend in the "Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice" that new lip rings used at the time of piercing "should be made of inert non-toxic metal substances such as 14k or 18k gold, surgical stainless steel, titanium, or niobium."

Aftercare

A lip piercing is a deep puncture wound that requires proper aftercare to prevent infection. While your piercing is healing, rinse your mouth and your lip with an alcohol-free, anti-bacterial mouthwash for 60 seconds each morning, after each meal and before bed, recommends Georgia Health Info. Do not change your lip ring jewelry until the piercing is fully healed. Avoid kissing others or participating in oral sex before the piercing heals, to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Refrain from touching your lip piercing, aside from cleaning times, to prevent contaminating it with bacteria from your hands. Lip piercings can take anywhere from six weeks to a year to completely heal, depending on the person.

Complications

Even with the best sterile piercing practices and aftercare, infections and complications can occur. Minor swelling and pain for a few days after the piercing is normal. Try melting ice in your mouth to relive minor pain. See your doctor if you experience severe swelling, increased redness or pain at the piercing sight; these can be signs of a serious infection.

Dental Health

The backside of a lip ring can irritate and damage your gums and your teeth as it rubs and pokes the inside of your mouth. In some cases, the piercing can even fracture or crack your teeth. Visit your dentist shortly after you get your piercing to get your mouth examined. Your dentist can make sure you have the right size lip ring jewelry in your mouth to reduce the chances of mouth tissue injuries. An improper fitting lip ring can increase the chances of gum recession and tooth fractures, say Kayla Janssen and Brigette Cooper in the "Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice."