Fans Love Alysa Liu’s Smiley Piercing — But Here’s What Dentists Are Saying
Figure skater Alysa Liu became the breakout star of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, winning two gold medals and millions of new fans in the process.
But alongside her historic performances, something small and shiny caught the internet’s attention: a piercing visible just above her top teeth every time she smiled.
The American Dental Association (ADA) is now urging fans to think twice before copying the look.
Liu’s Record-Breaking Run in Milan Cortina
Liu helped Team USA win gold in the team figure skating event on Feb. 8, then claimed an individual gold medal in the women’s free skate on Feb. 19.
She was the first American woman to win an individual Olympic figure skating gold in 24 years. The last was Sarah Hughes in 2002.
The Olympic triumph followed her gold medal at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, where she became the first American woman to win a world title since 2006.
Her rise was staggering by any measure. Liu went from 210,000 Instagram followers before the Games to 5.2 million as of Feb. 24 — all in about two weeks.
With that kind of sudden visibility, every detail of Liu’s appearance became a topic of online fascination. And one detail in particular dominated the conversation.
What Is a Smiley Piercing?
Social media lit up with a single question: what is that on Alysa Liu’s teeth?
The answer is a “smiley piercing,” also known as a lip frenulum piercing. It’s an oral piercing where jewelry is inserted into the lip frenulum (labial frenum), the thin flap of skin connecting the upper lip to the gum, according to WebMD.
The name comes from the fact that it’s only visible when a person smiles. Liu did plenty of that over the past two weeks while standing atop the Olympic podium.
Liu explained the piercing’s origin in an interview with TMJ4 News, shared on YouTube Jan. 26.
“Oh, my ‘smiley,’” she said to the camera. “I pierced it a little over two years ago now.”
“I did it myself,” she added. “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 casual origin story. But health professionals want fans to know that Liu’s DIY approach is not something to replicate.
The American Dental Association’s Warning
The ADA is cautioning fans against rushing to imitate the look.
“Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health,” the ADA writes on its MouthHealthy website.
“That’s because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings,” the ADA continues.
According to the ADA, an oral piercing also increases the risk of damaged teeth, gums or fillings; hypersensitivity to metals; nerve damage; excessive drooling; and dental appointment difficulties.
Already Have One? Here’s What the ADA Recommends
For people who already have a smiley piercing, the ADA offers several recommendations to help minimize risk:
- Keep the piercing site clean and free of any matter that may collect on the jewelry by using a mouth rinse after every meal.
- Avoid clicking the jewelry against teeth and avoid stress on the piercing.
- Check the tightness of your jewelry periodically (with clean hands) to prevent swallowing or choking if it becomes loose.
- Remove the jewelry when taking part in sports.
- Brush twice per day and don’t skip routine dental visits.
- Even with diligent care, the ADA says risks remain.
“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,” the ADA added.
Why Liu’s Influence Matters Here
Liu’s jump from a relatively under-the-radar athlete to a global icon with more than five million followers in just two weeks means her personal style choices reach an enormous audience.
What she wears, how she presents herself, and what piercings she sports are now seen by millions of people around the world.
That reach makes the ADA’s message timely. Liu’s smiley piercing has become part of her signature look, but health professionals want to make sure admiration doesn’t lead to uninformed decisions.
The piercing carries responsibilities and health considerations that deserve careful thought, regardless of how effortless it may look on an Olympic gold medalist.
For fans still curious, the best first step is a conversation with a dentist — not a mirror and a piercing needle.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
