Smiley Piercing: Healing and Care

What is a smiley piercing?

A smiley piercing (also called a frenulum piercing or “smile piercing”) goes through the thin membrane that connects the upper lip to the gum. The jewellery passes through this membrane and both ends sit over the front teeth, just behind the lip. It is usually invisible during normal speech and appears with a wide smile. That is why it is a popular oral piercing for people who want to control its visibility at work, school or with family.

A similar piercing through the membrane connecting the lower lip to the gum is called a “frowny”. Unlike cheek, lip or tongue piercings, a smiley does not go through muscle tissue; only a thin membrane is pierced. This keeps the procedure short, but it also directly affects healing and long-term durability.

Can everyone get one? Checking the anatomy

The most important requirement for a smiley is an upper lip frenulum that is prominent and thick enough. When you gently lift your upper lip, you will see a vertical band of tissue running from the gum to the lip between the front teeth. If this band is very thin, very short or barely visible, the piercing is not recommended, because there is not enough tissue to hold the jewellery and the risk of tearing or rejection rises quickly.

Before the procedure we look at this area together at the studio. If it is not suitable, we tell you clearly and discuss alternatives in the mouth area such as medusa (philtrum) or labret piercings. If you wear braces or have sensitive gums, contact between the jewellery, the brace wires and your teeth also needs to be assessed; if in doubt, it is a good idea to ask your dentist.

How is a smiley piercing done?

1. Consultation: We go over your anatomy, jewellery choice and aftercare rules.
2. Preparation: You rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash. The piercer puts on gloves, and the needle and jewellery packages are opened in front of you.
3. Piercing: The lip is gently lifted and the membrane is pierced with a sterile, single-use needle. Because the membrane is thin, the piercing itself takes a few seconds.
4. Inserting the jewellery: The ring or horseshoe is inserted and closed, and we check how the ends sit against the teeth and gums.

The whole procedure usually takes around 15 minutes. The sensation varies from person to person; most people describe a brief pinch. Mild swelling and tenderness may follow for a few days.

Jewellery choice and sizing

With a smiley, jewellery choice matters even more than with other oral piercings, because of tooth and gum health.

• Ring (segment or captive bead ring): The classic look. A small diameter and a snug fit reduce how often the bead hits the teeth.
• Horseshoe (circular barbell): The two small balls sit outside; the ends can be flipped up and hidden behind the lip, which makes visibility easier to control.
• Thickness and diameter: In this area a thickness of 1.0–1.2 mm is usually preferred, with an inner diameter small enough not to rest on the teeth but wide enough not to squeeze the membrane. We determine the exact size together at the studio based on your anatomy.
• Material: Standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the price. If you have a nickel sensitivity you can choose titanium jewellery; in that case the jewellery price of 350 TL is added to the piercing price. For the differences between materials, see our titanium piercing jewellery guide .

Jewellery with rough surfaces, coatings that can peel or extra weight is not suitable for this area. Small, smooth and lightweight jewellery is essential to reduce enamel wear and gum recession in the long term.

The healing process

Because oral tissue renews quickly, initial healing of a smiley is usually complete within 4–12 weeks. In the first 3–5 days, mild swelling, tenderness and a whitish discharge may appear; this is common with oral piercings and usually temporary. Once the swelling settles, we recommend a check-up to make sure the jewellery is still the right size.

Even when healed, the frenulum is thin tissue, so the jewellery may shift over time or the piercing may push itself outwards (rejection). If you notice the distance between the hole and the edge of the membrane getting shorter, or the jewellery hanging more loosely, have it checked at the studio.

Aftercare: what to watch in the first weeks

• After every meal and drink (except water), rinse your mouth gently with an alcohol-free mouthwash or salt water; 3–5 times a day is enough, as rinsing too much can dry out the tissue.
• In the first days, avoid very hot, very spicy and acidic foods, and eat in small bites.
• Do not play with the jewellery or push it with your tongue; this delays healing and increases rubbing against the teeth.
• Cut down on alcohol and smoking as much as possible while healing; for details see alcohol and smoking after a piercing article.
• Keep brushing your teeth with a soft brush; do not press on the piercing area.
• Until healing is complete, avoid kissing and sharing cups, cutlery or other items used by someone else.

For general aftercare rules, our jewelry care page will also guide you.

Risks and when to come in for a check

As with any piercing, a smiley carries some risks, and it is important to know them in advance:

• Contact with teeth and gums: Long-term rubbing of the jewellery against the front teeth and gums can lead to enamel wear or gum recession. At your regular dental check-ups, tell your dentist about your piercing.
• Rejection and migration: Because of the thin tissue, these happen more often than with other oral piercings.
• Tearing: If the jewellery catches on something or takes a hard knock, the membrane can tear; for contact sports, consider protecting or removing the jewellery.
• Signs of infection: If you have increasing pain, intense redness, warmth, thick yellow-green discharge or a fever, do not remove the jewellery yourself; see a doctor and let the studio know.

Smiley piercing price

At Cadde Piercing Studio, a smiley piercing costs 550 TLand standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the price. If you choose titanium jewellery, its price of 350 TL is added, making the total 900 TL . For all piercing prices, see our prices page; for how we do it at the studio, see our smiley piercing in Ümraniye page.

• Address: İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı, Istanbul
• Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00
• For other oral piercings, see lip piercing and tongue piercing guide; for questions, WhatsApp: 0533 250 01 77.

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. For your personal situation, consult your piercer, dentist or doctor.

Official and reliable sources

• APP: Minimum standards for initial jewellery
• APP: Piercing aftercare brochure (PDF)

FAQ

How long does a smiley piercing take to heal?

Because oral tissue renews quickly, initial healing takes 4–12 weeks for most people. Mild swelling and tenderness in the first few days are normal.

Can everyone get a smiley piercing?

No. If the band of tissue between the upper lip and the gum is not prominent enough, the piercing is not recommended. We check suitability together at the studio before the procedure.

Does a smiley piercing damage your teeth?

If the jewellery rubs against the teeth and gums for a long time, enamel wear or gum recession can occur. Using small, smooth, correctly sized jewellery and keeping up with dental check-ups reduces this risk.

How much does a smiley piercing cost?

At our studio a smiley piercing costs 550 TL, including standard surgical steel jewellery. If you choose titanium jewellery, its price of 350 TL is added, for a total of 900 TL.

Is a smiley piercing visible, and can it be hidden?

It is usually invisible with closed lips and during normal speech; it shows with a wide smile. The ends of a horseshoe can be flipped up and hidden behind the lip.

Can a smiley piercing reject?

Because it goes through a thin membrane, the chance of rejection and migration is higher than with other oral piercings. If the jewellery starts to hang more loosely or the hole moves closer to the edge, have it checked at the studio.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.