Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu delivered one of the defining highlights of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics — and it wasn’t only her skating that got people talking, but her distinctive look as well.
Following her standout showing at the Games, viewers noticed that the 20-year-old isn’t just displaying metal when she steps onto the top of the podium — there’s also a flash of jewelry when she smiles.
That’s down to a so-called “smiley” piercing, which typically only becomes visible when someone opens their mouth wide, like during a big grin. And after adding two new gold medals to her collection, Liu has plenty of reasons to smile.
As attention has grown around her Gen Z-inspired style — helped along by her victories in both the women’s singles and the team event — health professionals have also cautioned that this popular piercing trend can come with serious risks.
Liu, who has been skating since the age of five, spoke about the piercing in more detail during an interview ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Speaking to TMJ4 News, the Olympian shockingly admitted that she had done the piercing herself, adding: “I pierced it a little over two years ago now.”
She explained she wasn’t entirely alone in the process, saying: “I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking in the mirror and I had my piercing needle and then — yeah, I just put it through.”
A “smiley” piercing involves placing a small ring through the mouth’s frenulum — the thin, soft tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums. The jewelry is then secured, commonly with a small metal ball at the end.
The confidence behind that kind of decision mirrors the fearless style choices Liu is known for, from her striped hair to her visible mouth jewelry — as well as the boldness she showed in her free skate performance.
However, dental and oral health experts are urging people not to copy the trend without understanding the potential complications, as these piercings can pose real dangers inside the mouth.
Dental advice organization MouthHealthy explains: “Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings.
“For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth.”
“In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage.”
Jewelry that repeatedly contacts teeth can gradually wear them down, and people with oral piercings have also reported issues including infection, swelling, bleeding, and scarring. There is also the possibility that jewelry can become embedded in the tissue, sometimes requiring surgical removal.
More broadly, professionals warn that any piercing that rubs against the gums or teeth can lead to long-term damage. The guide added: “Of course, the best option is to consider removing mouth jewelry before it causes a problem.
“Don’t pierce on a whim. The piercing will be an added responsibility to your life, requiring constant attention and upkeep. Talk to your dentist for more information.”