Oral piercings look attractive but are they secure? Smiley piercing is one kind of piercing that has been criticized as controversial. Learn more about the procedure of smiling, piercing jewelry, aftercare, and much more.
What Are Smiley Piercings?
A smiley piercing or lip frenulum piercing is a piercing for the mouth that allows jewelry of your preference to be inserted into your lips frenulum (labial frenum). The frenulum is the tiny layer of skin that connects your lips with your gum.
Therefore, the piercing becomes only visible when you smile. This is the reason it’s referred to as a smiling piercing.
Although anyone can get a smiley piercing, you should stay clear if you wear braces or dental sealants, have a small frenulum or gum disease, have tooth infections, or have other oral conditions.
Oral piercings are relatively inexpensive. However, they’re not suggested by dentists and medical experts because aftercare for smiley piercings is challenging. These piercings may be a gateway to numerous health hazards if not performed correctly.
What Kinds of Jewelry Are Suitable for This Type of Piercing?
The types of jewelry that you can choose to use to pierce this kind of ring can include:
A Ring with Captive Beads
This kind of jewelry is typically used to make an all-new smiley puncturing. The ring is circular and has a small dot.
Circular Barbell
It is also possible to use the circular shape of a barbell to make your first jewelry. This item is a horseshoe with an engraved bead at each end to hold it in place.
The Ring Is Seamless (With or Without Embellishment)
This seamless ring connects without an additional bead to keep it in position. Once the piercing is completely healed and healed, you can swap your conventional seamless ring for an elongated ring with other adornments.
How Much Do Smiley Piercings Hurt?
Because the frenulum is thin, the piercing will be less painful than other types. In reality, piercings that go through more dense skin tend to be less painful than those through thin tissue. You’ll feel a sharp ache when you pierce your frenulum, but it’ll happen quickly.
Many say that the piercing of the smiley hurts more than other lip piercing types and is less painful than a cartilage perforation.
Smiley Piercing Healing Process
It is possible to devote 4 to 12 weeks to healing. The mouth heals fast, but it’s where you can find many bacteria, so proper post-care is crucial to speed up the healing process.
Aftercare Rules
The process of healing smiley piercing should be simple. The most challenging part is maintaining your mouth hygiene and avoiding any snags on the jewelry. Here are some suggestions to aid you in your healing.
- Rinse your mouth with a saline solution or sea salt rinse two to 3 times per day. The site of the piercing’s smile will make it impossible to conduct the saline soak as you would for other piercings. Instead, wash your mouth with sea salt or saline rinse, and ensure you take extra time to soak the area around the frenulum.
- Some rinses can be purchased designed specifically for the aftercare of oral piercings. It is also essential to maintain the proper hygiene of your mouth throughout the healing process.
- Take care when eating. The position of the smiley piercing could cause an education curve in eating. You do not want to rub or cause irritation to your piercing; however, since the initial piece of jewelry must be large enough to allow for the swelling, staying clear of snags can be challenging.
- For the initial days, avoid hard food items until you’re comfortable with the new jewelry style.
- Avoid playing with the jewelry. It is not recommended to play with any healing jewelry piercing. Moving the jewelry too often can cause piercing rejection, and your hands can harbor harmful bacteria.
- It is also essential to be aware not to touch the jewelry using your tongue. It’s tempting because you’ll be adjusting to the new piece. However, you have to decide not to handle your jewelry for healing.
- Don’t kiss. Your mouth contains enough harmful bacteria without the saliva of your loved one. Smooches in the mouth that are closed are acceptable (as long as they’re soft); however, you must only kiss those of the French king once the Piercer has verified that your frenulum is fully healed.
What Are the Risks Associated with This Perforation?
The piercings of smiles are a susceptible area. If they’re pierced wrongly or poorly taken care of, you could be prone to dangerous and painful adverse consequences.
Discuss with your Piercer regarding the following potential dangers:
The Damage to Your Gums
If the piercing you have improperly placed, it could cause the gum to recede in time. Jewelry put too high on your gum line or rubbing against your gums could result in gum damage.
Damage to The Enamel
Large beads, as well as other accessories on jewelry, could hit your teeth, causing damage to the enamel.
Infection
Your mouth is a natural food source for bacteria that can be cultivated through eating and drinking. The bacteria can also enter your mouth through smoking, kissing, or other oral actions. The risk of infection is when bacteria get trapped in the area of the piercing.
The Rejection
If your body sees it as an intrusion, it may form additional skin tissue to push the piercing away from your frenulum.
Why Shouldn’t I Get a Smiley Piercing?
The frenulum is typically thin, so many people have difficulty puncturing this area. If your frenulum doesn’t have the appropriate size for piercing, your Piercer may suggest alternative options.
- It is best to wait until you are ready for an earring with a smile in case you wear braces. It’s done, and braces are another thing the new jewelry could catch on to, so it’s safer for you to hold off until this risk is gone.
- You shouldn’t get this piercing if you have gingivitis, receding gums, wear and tear of enamel, or any other issues with your mouth. The jewelry can rub against your teeth, which can cause problems.
- It isn’t permanent perforation. The frenulum is small, and the area is subject to lots of movement, so the piercing will eventually be disregarded. It could last up to a couple of years, but most people say it was just one time.
- If you’re looking for something fun and temporary, this piercing is perfect, but if you’d like it to last for a long time, you need to choose a different option for piercing.
Speak to Your Potential Piercer
The decision to go with the perfect smiley piercing is an exciting experience. However, it is essential to speak with several reliable piercers before you make a decision, apart from quoting rates and determining if the tissue of your frenulum is strong enough to accommodate this piercing.
If your piercings are too thin, the Piercer can suggest a new option you’ll be happy with. Your Piercer should be your first source for questions regarding healing times, uncommon side effects, and any other issues you may have.
