How to Take Care of a Lip Ring

Overview

Proper lip ring care is essential during the healing process and after. The risk of a bacterial infection is strongest during the healing period, but the possibility of infection still exists after healing. Continual dental care is necessary for the health of your gums. Spend about five minutes a day taking care of your lip piercing to reduce your risk of developing problems.

Step 1

Discard your old toothbrush and use a new toothbrush immediately after getting your lip piercing. Your old toothbrush contains bacteria that may infect your new piercing.

Step 2

Refrain from touching the pierced area of your lip or the lip ring, except during cleaning. This reduces the opportunity to spread bacteria to your lip.

Step 3

Abstain from kissing and oral sex activities until your lip piercing heals completely, to reduce the chances of contracting a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease. The Center for Young Women's Health estimates that lip piercings take two to three months to heal completely.

Step 4

Rinse your mouth with an alcohol free, anti-bacterial mouthwash for 60 seconds, after each meal and before bed, to reduce the bacteria in your mouth that can spread to the piercing site.

Step 5

Wash your hands with soap and warm water before cleaning your lip piercing.

Step 6

Moisten a clean cotton swab with an alcohol free, anti-bacterial mouthwash. Gently cleanse the pierced area of your lip and the lip ring, using the cotton swab. Slide the lip ring gently back and forth through your lip to expose each area of the lip ring for cleaning.

Step 7

Check the lip ring at each cleaning to make sure that the backing is properly attached. If the lip ring is loose, tighten it so that it does not accidentally come out. There is a risk of inhaling a lip ring that accidentally comes out. An inhaled lip ring can cause choking or the ring may be inhaled into the lungs.

Step 8

Watch for signs of infection. If the pierced area of your lip becomes red, swollen or excretes yellow, green or foul smelling pus, see a doctor immediately--it is likely that your piercing site is infected.

Step 9

Examine your gums regularly for signs of irritation or gum recession. A study at the Ohio State University, Columbus found that lip piercings increase the likelihood of gingival recession (gum recession). Slightly over 40 percent of participants in the study who had lip piercings showed signs of gingival recession. The chances of gingival recession and the severity of gingival recession increase, the longer the lip piercing remains in your lip. Also, check your teeth for signs of chipping or fractures, which can be caused by lip piercings.

Step 10

Visit your dentist regularly to check the health of your gums.

Step 11

Avoid changing your lip ring until your piercing site has fully healed. When changing lip ring jewelry, always rinse the lip ring in an alcohol free anti-bacterial mouthwash before placing it into your lip.