After winning a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, photographers focused on American figure skater Jingwen Liu’s teeth and the silver spikes that seemed to hover above them.
The 20-year-old athlete from California had a so-called frenulum or “smiley” piercing, which involves piercing the skin that connects the gums to the upper lip.
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Liu Xiang explained in an interview before the game that she had the piercing herself.
Although body jewelry may look cool, experts warn that getting these piercings carries the risk of infection and may harm your oral health.
Colgate says oral piercings are especially dangerous because millions of bacteria live in our mouths. “Due to the presence of bacteria, the risk of infection is greater with piercings inside the mouth than with ear piercings,” the oral care brand said.
Olympic figure skater Alyssa Liu has a so-called “smiley face” piercing. Although they look cool, dentists warn that such piercings can cause complications for your health (Getty)
Infection can easily occur after an oral piercing if the jewelry and surrounding area are not properly cleaned or touched with dirty hands.
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Infection can lead to gum disease, leading to tooth loss, while inflammation can cause irreversible gum recession, exposing sensitive tooth roots.
Oral hygiene brands Crest and Oral B note that in rare cases, people can also develop hepatitis B, C, D, E and C. They may also contract tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, fungal and bacterial infections such as candidiasis and cellulitis, and even heart valve infections and endocarditis.
“Smiley piercings are performed on very sensitive areas and require adequate care; otherwise, infection may result with adverse effects,” warns Rodeo Dental Care.
The gold medalist said she had the smiley face pierced herself. But experts say having the surgery performed by a trained professional is crucial to preventing infection (Getty)
These piercings can cause other problems for the teeth and mouth. Piercings can cause swelling, bleeding, bruising, nerve damage, inflammation, and tissue trauma around the piercing site. They can even affect taste and saliva production.
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Metal piercings can also harm the tooth over time because it moves almost constantly in the mouth.
It can bump and scratch teeth, causing enamel erosion and cracked or chipped teeth. Tooth enamel protects against tooth decay, but it wears down over time.
Dentists say all of these risks are important reasons not to get a “DIY” piercing.
“After understanding the risks, if you still decide to have an oral piercing, make sure the procedure is performed by a trained professional using sterile instruments,” advises cosmetic dentist Dr. Edward Liu. “Before getting an oral piercing, talk to your dentist about proper aftercare and maintenance, which will help you reduce your risk of infection or complications.”