November 08, 2025

How to Clean Tongue Piercings?

Cleaning a tongue piercing is a bit different from cleaning other piercings. Instead of dabbing cleaning solution onto your piercing, make sure to rinse your mouth several times a day, using about 1/4 teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water.

Rinse your mouth after each meal and before going to sleep using an alcohol-free and hydrogen peroxide-free mouth rinse. Plain, clean water works too. Bottled or filtered water is preferred.

You will want to floss, brush, and use a mouth rinse at least twice a day. Ideally, you should rinse your mouth out every time you eat, smoke, or drink alcohol.
Gently brush the jewelry with a clean toothbrush regularly to avoid plaque buildup.

Tongue Piercing Aftercare

How to take care of a tongue piercing? For proper healing and a lower risk of complications, it's important to follow all aftercare instructions as advised by your piercer.

You should avoid eating any spicy or acidic food until your piercing fully heals. When brushing your teeth, do so gently, avoiding any contact with your piercing.

Keep an eye out for any signs of infection. These signs include severe pain, fever, or excessive redness and pus. Reach out to your piercer or doctor if you notice any of these signs developing.

Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.
Only touch the piercing if your hands are clean.
Eat soft foods until your pain starts to get better.
Cold foods and beverages can be soothing and help reduce swelling.
Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot-temperature foods or beverages for the first two weeks (no specific foods need to be avoided).
Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly after every time you eat, drink, or smoke.
Don't chew gum or anything else that may harbor bacteria.
Avoid kissing or any other sexual activity involving your mouth.
Clean your piercing with alcohol-free and hydrogen peroxide-free mouth rinse. Plain, clean water works too. Bottled or filtered water is preferred.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

You should ensure you get pierced by someone experienced and reliable who utilizes the right cleaning and sterilization procedures. You’ll also need to choose high-quality jewelry that you aren’t allergic to. After you get your tongue piercing, be sure to follow all instructions from your piercer.