Smiley (Frenulum) Piercing Information & Aftercare Guide

If you’re looking for an oral piercing that’s easy to hide, low on the pain scale, and increasingly trendy, a smiley piercing may be one for you. However, you must learn everything there is to know about this piercing and do tons of research before you seek out a piercer.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. We’ll discuss all you need to know about smiley piercings, including what they are, their placement, the jewelry you can wear in them, pros and cons, proper aftercare, and more.

What Is a Smiley Piercing?

A smiley piercing, also known as a tongue frenulum or scrumper piercing, is placed in thin tissue webbing that connects the top lip to the gums. The piercing earned the slang name because it is only visible when you smile.

The Importance of Anatomy

Just like most piercings, the smiley piercing is anatomy-dependent. First, your tongue webbing, known as your frenulum, must be thick enough to pierce through. If you have one that is too thin, the piercing will not heal successfully and will reject.

In addition to having enough tissue to pierce through, piercers must also consider the angle of your teeth. The ideal bite for this piercing to be successful is if your front teeth come down straight. Unfortunately, if your bite angles inward or outward, the jewelry will press and rub against your teeth and cause damage.

Smiley Piercing Pros and Cons

Pros

The main benefit of a smiley piercing is how discreet it can be. The smiley is excellent for those working in jobs that don’t allow visible body modifications because it stays hidden by your lip unless you smile. You can also wear a curved barbell, which makes it even less visible.

Additionally, if you have a low pain tolerance, this piercing may be better for you than others because it tends to hurt less. The pierced tissue is much thinner, making it less painful.

Lastly, aftercare for this piercing is simpler because it is less susceptible to catching and snagging.

Cons

Some piercers who belong to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) refuse to perform this piercing because the risks can outweigh the benefits.

First, you need good oral hygiene and health for this piercing to succeed and cause as minimal damage as possible. If you already have tooth damage or a receding gum line, it’s recommended that you don’t get this piercing due to the risk of worsening gum recession. Once your gums recede, the only way to reverse the recession is to get a gum graft. If the piercing causes the recession, your dental insurance likely won’t cover the procedure, and it’s costly.

Gum recession and tooth damage are why some APP-affiliated piercers no longer perform piercings. Even if you have the proper anatomy and bite for the piercing, wearing jewelry that comes into contact with your teeth and gums the way a smiley piercing does carries a heightened risk for tooth and gum damage.

In addition to gum recession, some of these risks of damage include:

• Enamel erosion
• Cracks in teeth
• Tears in the frenulum that permanently affect your bite

Migration and rejection are common risks if you have a frenulum that is too thin to pierce through.

The Smiley Piercing Process

Once your piercer has assessed your anatomy and confirmed you’re suitable for the piercing, they will take you back and have you rinse your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash.

From there, they pat the area dry and push your upper lip up to expose the frenulum. They clamp the area (though some perform the piercing freehand) and insert a sterile needle through the tissue. Using a transfer, they insert the jewelry, wipe the area clean, and let you take a look at your new body adornment.

Unique Jewelry Options

Smiley piercings are typically pierced at a 16 gauge. When you’re first pierced, the diameter of the jewelry will be larger than necessary to accommodate for any swelling during the healing process. Once the piercing is fully healed, you can downsize it to a smaller jewelry diameter.

Type of Smiley Piercing Jewelry

• Circular barbells: This round jewelry style is often called a “horseshoe” since it has two screw-off ends on the same barbell.
• Captive bead rings: These standard rings usually have a middle ball or decorative piece that snaps into or is built into the ring to hold it securely.
• Seamless rings: These rings usually snap or bend into place to be completely smooth. Used on healed smiley piercing.
• Curved barbells: Curved barbells are curved pieces of metal with two beads on either end to keep the jewelry in place. Curved barbells hide smiley piercings virtually, as they cannot be seen without lifting your upper lip.

When you initially get pierced, you must wear jewelry with beads. However, after your smiley piercing heals, it’s best to switch to a clicker or smooth jewelry so the beads don’t cause erosion or gum recession.

How Much Does It Hurt?

As mentioned above, one of the benefits of this piercing is that it goes through thin tissue. On a pain scale of 1 through 10, it would come in about a 2 or a 3, meaning it doesn’t hurt much. The process is over in just a quick second, too.

However, it is important to note that everyone has a different pain tolerance. What may be nothing too bad to one person could be something much more painful to another.

How Much Does It Cost?

The total price of a smiley piercing will depend on each piercer and shop. The price will combine the needle or service fee your piercer charges, the cost of jewelry, and a tip if you wish to leave one. Typically, you’ll spend between $30 to $90 for the needle fee and at least another $35 for the jewelry. The customary tip is 20%.

How Long Does It Take to Heal?

A smiley piercing typically takes one to two months to heal as long as proper aftercare is followed. This is because oral piercings tend to heal faster than other piercings. It’s common to experience swelling immediately after getting pierced, but this should taper off gradually as your piercing heals.

Smiley Piercing Aftercare

How to Properly Clean It

Unlike most other piercings where you must worry about the jewelry getting caught or snagged, the aftercare process for a smiley piercing is relatively simple.

Pick up an alcohol-free and hydrogen-peroxide-free mouthwash. Biotene, a popular mouthwash, can be purchased at most drug stores nationwide. Rinse your mouth by swishing the mouthwash or solution twice daily.

It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with plain water after you eat, drink, or smoke to prevent irritants from entering the healing fistula and irritating the wound.

You will also want to purchase a soft-bristle toothbrush and use it while your piercing heals. Brushing your jewelry with it can help get rid of crusties or buildup on the jewelry. Be sure to use a different soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth, and keep these toothbrushes away from old ones to avoid the spread of bacteria.

As always, wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning and touching your piercing.

Overall, a smiley piercing can be relatively easy, and it’s growing in popularity thanks to social media. However, you must be aware of the risks to your oral health before you decide whether this piercing is right for you.