How to Sterilize a Tongue Ring

Many people don't realize how important it is to frequently clean a tongue ring. Being negligent in cleaning a tongue ring can result in a bad odor in your mouth. A dirty tongue ring can also lead to infection if the piercing in your tongue has not had the proper chance to heal or becomes open for any reason. There is also more of a chance that food and dead skin in your mouth can cause a lot of pain in the tongue and the rest of the mouth if the tongue ring is not cleaned often.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Sterile gauze pads

Instructions

1. Sterilize a new tongue ring. Always buy your tongue rings new from a specialty tattoo and piercing salon. Even though many mall stores may sell tongue rings at a lower price, the odds are high that they weren't properly handled before they made it to the store. When you buy a new tongue ring, take it home and follow the sterilizing process completely.

2. Use boiling water or rubbing alcohol. The choice is yours, since both work just fine. Depending on the material of the tongue ring, some methods work better than others. For metal tongue rings, soak in rubbing alcohol for 10 to 15 minutes. For plastic tongue rings, it may be safer to use boiling water. Some plastics may not handle the rubbing alcohol, and you don't want to distort the shape of the ring.

3. Properly rinse your tongue ring and set it to dry. For tongue rings that have been soaked in rubbing alcohol, it is important to thoroughly rinse them once they are done. Rinse with bottled water to ensure that the water itself is not contaminated. Set them out on a sterile gauze pad to dry. These pads can be purchased at any pharmacy, drug or grocery store.

4. Clean your tongue ring every six to eight weeks. Keeping in a tongue ring for years at a time can cause infection and make it difficult for the ring to be removed. Once your tongue is completely healed after the initial piercing, it is recommended to remove and clean your tongue ring approximately every two months. This will keep your tongue from closing around the ring, and will also prevent any sort of infection or pain in the tongue. Follow the procedure listed above every time.

5. Clean it every day. Don't feel like you have to make a big project out of cleaning your tongue ring daily. When brushing your teeth, be sure to include your tongue ring. Brush your teeth like you normally would, but towards the end, carefully rub your toothbrush over your tongue and tongue ring. This will ensure that no food is trapped in your tongue ring, which could lead to problems later down the line.

Tips & Warnings

• Never buy used tongue rings. Be sure to clean your hands properly before handling or changing a tongue ring.

References

• Tips From a Certified Dentist