What to buy, at a glance
| Best for | What to look for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Most common | 16g titanium captive bead ringWebMD calls this the most commonly used smiley jewelry.
| Check price |
| Alternative | 16g titanium circular barbellA horseshoe shape with a bead on each end.
| Check price |
Each button opens an Amazon search, not one product we have tested. Check that the listing states the gauge, size and material, such as ASTM F136 titanium. Amazon shows the current price. As an Amazon Associate, Best Piercing earns from qualifying purchases.
A smiley goes through the frenulum, the thin web of tissue between the upper lip and the gum. The jewelry sits right against your teeth and gums, so choosing it is partly a dental question.
This page follows Healthline, WebMD, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). The Healthline article is from 2018 and the ADA advises against oral piercings altogether. Details are as read in October 2026.
Photo by Jean-Rene Vauzelle via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
The three usual styles
Healthline and WebMD list the same three:
| Style | What it is |
|---|---|
| Captive bead ring | A ring held closed by a bead. Healthline says it is commonly used for a brand-new smiley, and WebMD calls it the most commonly used smiley jewelry |
| Circular barbell | A horseshoe shape with a bead on each end |
| Seamless ring | A ring with no bead |
Neither page gives a gauge or diameter. Our smiley page suggests 16 gauge and 6 to 8 mm, which is our view, and the APP says jewelry must be of an appropriate length or diameter for your anatomy. Our ring styles guide shows how each closure works.
On Amazon16g titanium smiley ringsCheck the listing states the gauge, size and material.
Check priceMaterials
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Healthline | Surgical titanium, surgical stainless steel and niobium; stick to 14-karat yellow or white gold during healing |
| WebMD, smiley | Only 14-karat white or yellow gold; avoid gold-plated jewelry |
| WebMD, oral piercing | Surgical steel, solid gold or platinum |
| APP | Steel compliant with ASTM F-138 or ISO 5832-1; implant titanium; niobium; solid gold of 14k or higher, with gold above 18k too soft |
| ADA | Synthetic materials such as PTFE or polypropylene have lower bacterial colonization than steel or titanium |
The ADA’s point about synthetics is the one place the sources pull in different directions: the Healthline and WebMD pages recommend metals. See materials.
Changing it
Healthline and WebMD both say a smiley usually heals in four to twelve weeks. Healthline says not to change your jewelry until it has completely healed, about three months. WebMD suggests changing the jewelry at intervals of around three months once healed.
The APP’s oral aftercare page says that once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post or barbell, and that a qualified piercer should do it. It also says to check threaded ends regularly for tightness. WebMD warns that loose jewelry can be swallowed or choked on. Our downsizing guide covers timing.
Teeth and gums
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Healthline | Incorrect placement can cause gum recession; the beads can knock against your teeth and damage the enamel |
| WebMD, smiley | The jewelry can rub against your gums and knock against your teeth, damaging the enamel |
| WebMD, oral piercing | You can chip your teeth on oral jewelry while you eat, sleep, talk or chew on it |
| ADA | Gum recession in up to 50% of people with lip piercings in the studies reviewed; enamel damage, chipped teeth and gum inflammation; jewelry becoming embedded and needing surgical removal |
| ADA MouthHealthy | Repeated clicking against teeth can cause damage; piercings can damage fillings |
The APP says not to play with oral jewelry, because the long-term effects include permanent damage to teeth and gums. WebMD says people with braces, dental sealants or a small frenulum should avoid a smiley. The ADA advises against cosmetic oral piercings, so tell your dentist you have one.
Rejection
Healthline says rejection happens when the body builds up tissue to push the jewelry out of the frenulum, and lists displacement and drooping as signs. WebMD covers rejection too. Our piercing rejection guide explains what to look for. For swelling, pain or discharge, see infected tongue and lip piercing.
Frequently asked questions
What jewelry is used for a smiley piercing?
Healthline and WebMD both say a captive bead ring is the most common jewelry for a smiley. Both also list a circular barbell, a horseshoe shape with a bead on each end, and a seamless ring. Neither gives a gauge or diameter.
What metal should smiley jewelry be?
Healthline names surgical titanium, surgical stainless steel and niobium, and says to stick to 14-karat yellow or white gold while healing. WebMD says to avoid gold-plated jewelry. The APP accepts specific steel and titanium grades, niobium and solid gold of 14k or higher.
When can I change my smiley jewelry?
Healthline says not until the piercing has completely healed, about three months, and both Healthline and WebMD put healing at four to twelve weeks. The APP says longer starter jewelry in the mouth should be replaced with a shorter piece once swelling has gone down, by a qualified piercer.
Can smiley jewelry damage my teeth?
It can. Healthline and WebMD say the beads can knock against your teeth and damage the enamel, and WebMD says the jewelry can rub against your gums. The ADA reports gum recession in up to 50% of people with lip piercings in the studies it reviewed, and advises against oral piercings.
Who should not get a smiley piercing?
WebMD says people with braces, dental sealants or a small frenulum should avoid it. Healthline says incorrect placement can cause gum recession.
Is plastic jewelry better for a smiley?
The ADA says synthetic materials such as PTFE or polypropylene have lower levels of bacterial colonization than steel or titanium. The Healthline and WebMD pages recommend metals, so the sources differ. Ask your piercer what they stock that suits a fresh frenulum.
Sources
- Healthline - What you should know before getting a smiley piercinghttps://www.healthline.com/health/smiley-piercing
- WebMD - What to know about smiley piercingshttps://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-smiley-piercings
- WebMD - What to know about oral piercinghttps://www.webmd.com/oral-health/oral-piercing
- American Dental Association - Oral piercing jewelryhttps://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/oral-piercing-jewelry
- ADA MouthHealthy - Oral piercingshttps://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/oral-piercings
- Association of Professional Piercers - Oral aftercarehttps://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Jewelry for initial piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. If a piercing is hot, swollen, spreading redness, oozing yellow or green discharge, or you have a fever, see a doctor today.