The Ultimate Guide to Smiley (Frenulum) Piercing

You may not be familiar with the smiley piercing, but it is also known as the Frenulum Piercing. This piercing goes through the flap of tissue that connects your upper lip to your gums, which is called the frenulum. As for why it is called Smiley Piercing, it only shows when you smile, otherwise, it will be hidden under your upper lip and will not be seen. This is a perfect choice for those who want a more discreet oral piercing than other lip piercings.

However, while a smiley piercing can be fun and tantalizing, it's not for everyone. There are a few things you need to consider before you decide to give it a try. Such as whether your body structure can handle it, whether it will hurt, and how to properly care for it during the healing period. And that's just the beginning.

What Is a Smiley Piercing?

To understand smile piercing, you first need to understand your oral anatomy and find your frenulum. Need help finding it? Ok, close your lips, stick your tongue between your upper lip and gums, and feel a connecting band between them. This is your frenulum. The piercer will pass the jewelry through here, and the jewelry will only be exposed when you smile.

But there's a catch: Not everyone has a frenulum that can be pierced. If your frenulum is too thin, too short, or too fragile, you may not be a good candidate for this piercing. So, always consult an experienced piercer before deciding.

Does It Hurt?

You might think that the frenulum is so thin that you would think it would be less painful than other types of oral piercings. However, the truth is that it is more sensitive than thicker areas of skin. The pain is a sharp, stabbing pain that only lasts a second or two. It's not unbearable, but it's definitely noticeable and sharp. However, most people would say that the pain intensity of a smiley piercing is somewhere between a lip piercing and a cartilage piercing.

Healing Time and Aftercare

According to most people's reports, the healing time span of smile piercings is relatively long, about 4-12 weeks. However, in general, oral piercings heal faster than many other parts, but there are also a lot of bacteria in the mouth. To speed up the healing process, you must adhere to reasonable postoperative care. On the contrary, if you don't pay attention to care, the risk of infection is very high, which will greatly prolong the healing time and even cause rejection. Here are the rules of aftercare I have compiled:

Rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day with saline or sea salt mouthwash, especially after eating or brushing your teeth. When rinsing your mouth, try to hold a mouthful of saline in your mouth for a while to allow it to fully soak your frenulum area. Remember, do not use mouthwash containing alcohol. If necessary, you can buy a mouthwash specifically for oral piercing care.

Try to eat soft foods for the first few days. Because of the location of your smiley piercing, it may be difficult to eat. You have to be careful about food getting caught on the jewelry, so avoid any crunchy or chewy foods.

Don't play with the jewelry. I know you're excited about your new piercing, but you shouldn't pay too much attention to it. Especially don't touch or move the jewelry with your hands, which can cause rejection and bacterial infection. Also, you have to resist playing with the jewelry with your tongue. I know it's tempting, but for the sake of your piercing healing, please resist.

Avoid kissing and oral contact until the piercing is fully healed. Your mouth is home to enough bacteria, and someone else's mouth bacteria could be disastrous for a healing piercing. However, closed-mouth kissing is fine, as long as there is no saliva exchange.

Brush your teeth carefully. Be careful when cleaning your mouth, especially when brushing your upper teeth, to avoid pulling on jewelry. It is recommended that you switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush during the healing period.

Smiley Piercing Jewelry Options

What's the best part about a smiley piercing? The jewelry. When you first get your piercing done, your piercer may give you a captive bead ring as your initial jewelry. This is a small ring with a bead in the middle. It's easy to put on, comfortable to wear, and the bead pops out when you smile.

Once your piercing is fully healed, you can switch up your jewelry with different styles. For example, a hoop beaded ring with gemstones or a round barbell with two visible beads. Seamless rings are perfect if you want a minimalist look.

Note: If you are sensitive to metal, stick with high-quality materials such as implant-grade titanium, 14k gold, or surgical stainless steel.

Who Should Not Get a Smiley Piercing?

Smiley piercings are not suitable for everyone. If you have the following conditions, then you are not suitable:

• Your frenulum is too small or too thin. If the frenulum can't hold the jewelry securely, then it's a no-go.
• You are wearing braces. It is easy for piercings to get caught on the brackets or wires, which can be painful , so you should wait until the danger is gone.
• You suffer from gum disease, gum recession, or enamel erosion. These problems can worsen over time due to constant friction from jewelry.
• You want a permanent piercing. Please note that the frenulum piercing is not a permanent piercing; the frenulum is fragile and will eventually reject the jewelry over time and with activity. Normally, it will last 2-3 years, but some people say their piercing only lasted a year. If you are looking for a permanent piercing then the smile piercing may not be for you.

Can't Get a Smiley Piercing? Here Are Some Alternatives

If you're not physically suited to a smile piercing or you just want a unique mouth or lip piercing, there are many other fashionable piercings to consider. Here are some of them:

Medusa piercing: This is a single stud located in the philtrum (the groove above the upper lip).

Vertical Labret: This is a form of piercing that goes vertically through the lower lip, creating a unique, edgy look.

Monroe or Madonna: This is a lip piercing that mimics a beauty mark and may be located on the left or right side.

Since Smiley Piercing is not available, why not choose these types of piercings, which are easier to maintain and last longer than Smiley.

What Does a Smiley Piercing Cost?

A smiley piercing usually costs between $30 and $90, depending on where you live and the experience of the piercer. Even if it's more expensive, make sure you go to a reputable shop that has a clean, hygienic reputation. Bacteria are a huge risk with oral piercings, and it's not worth the risk of infection to save a few bucks.