A warning has been sent to people considering copying Alysa Liu’s unusual piercing after the Team USA athlete’s rise to global stardom during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 20-year-old won the first Olympic women’s figure skating gold medal for the United States in 24 years on Thursday night, completing a stunning comeback to the sport after vanishing nearly four years ago.
The self-styled ‘alt girl’ from Clovis, California, earned a standing ovation as she beat a standout field to secure first place in the women’s final. “My family is out there, my friends are out there. I had to put on a show for them,” she said after securing gold. “When I see other people smiling, because I see them in the audience, I have to smile, too. I have no poker face.”
Alysa Liu’s Piercing Explained
As well as her distinctive hair, part of Liu’s unique style is a shiny silver object over her teeth. This is a prominent frenulum piercing, connected on the upper part of her gums. They are not silver gems on Liu’s teeth, as some people have incorrectly assumed on social media.
The story of how she got the piecing done is an interesting one. She recently revealed: “I pierced it a little over two years ago now. Also, I did it myself. I had my sister hold up my lip. I was looking in the mirror and I had my piercing needle and yeah, just put it through.”
Health Warnings Have Been Issued
Labelled a ‘smiley’ piercing, it’s inevitable that people will be tempted to emulate Liu’s look following her success in Milano-Cortina. However, experts have issued a warning that these piercings come with a risk of infection and can also damage oral health.
Per The Independent, Colgate have warned that mouth piercings are particularly risky due to the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth. “There’s a greater risk of infection when you pierce the inside of your mouth versus getting your ears pierced because of the bacteria,” the leading global oral care brand owner has said.
Infections can develop after oral piercings if the jewelry and surrounding areas aren’t cleaned properly or have been touched with dirty hands. There’s then a risk that infection will lead to gum disease, which can cause teeth to fall out. Inflammation can also result in irreversible receding gums, which expose the sensitive roots of the teeth.
Oral B note that in rarer cases people can also develop Hepatitis B, C, D, E and G. Other potential issues that arise from infections include tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, fungal and bacterial infections such as candidiasis and cellulitis or the heart valve infection, endocarditis.
“Smiley piercings are done on a very sensitive area, and it requires adequate care; otherwise, it can lead to infection and cause adverse effects,” Rodeo Dental Care has warned.
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There’s also a chance that these piercings can lead to other issues for the teeth and mouth, including swelling, bleeding, bruising, nerve damage, inflammation and traumatised tissue. Taste and saliva production can also be impacted, while teeth can be harmed through enamel erosion plus cracks and chips.
Such risks are the reasons why dentists say it’s important to avoid a Liu-inspired ‘DIY’ piercing.
“After understanding the risks, if you still decide to get an oral piercing make sure the procedure is performed by a trained professional who uses sterile instruments,” cosmetic dentist Dr. Edward Liu has advised. “Consult with your dentist before getting an oral piercing to learn proper aftercare and maintenance that will help you reduce your risk of infection or complication.”
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