Dahlia Piercing: Complete Guide to Pain, Healing, Jewelry & Aftercare

The dahlia piercing — also called a dahlia bite or joker piercing — is placed at the corners of the mouth, one on each side. Named after the Black Dahlia, this piercing creates a striking look that highlights the width of your smile. It's one of the rarer lip piercings, which makes it a bold choice for anyone who wants something most people won't have.

This guide covers everything you need to know before getting dahlia piercings: pain, healing, jewelry, aftercare, and the risks you should be aware of.

What Is a Dahlia Piercing?

Dahlia piercings are a pair of piercings placed at the corners of the mouth — one on each side, right where the upper and lower lips meet. They go through the skin at the mouth corner and sit against the inside of the cheek.

Unlike most lip piercings that sit on the upper or lower lip, dahlias frame the entire mouth symmetrically. The result is a unique, dramatic look that's different from any other lip piercing style.

Dahlias are almost always done as a pair. A single corner piercing exists but is much less common — the symmetry is what makes the dahlia distinctive.

Does a Dahlia Piercing Hurt?

Pain level: 4 out of 10 per side.

The corners of the mouth have a moderate amount of nerve endings — similar to other lip piercings. You'll feel a sharp pinch for each side. Since dahlias are done as a pair, the second piercing will be more uncomfortable because the area is already tense from the first.

Swelling at the corners of the mouth can be significant for the first 3-5 days. This area moves constantly — every time you talk, eat, drink, or smile — so the swelling may feel more noticeable than other lip piercings.

Healing Time

Dahlia piercings take 2-3 months to heal, similar to other lip piercings.

However, the corner-of-mouth placement can make healing feel slower because of constant movement. Talking, eating, and facial expressions all put stress on the piercings throughout the day. Be patient and consistent with aftercare.

During healing, expect swelling, tenderness, clear or whitish lymph discharge, and some difficulty with certain mouth movements in the first week. See our piercing healing stages guide for what to expect at each phase.

Dahlia Piercing Jewelry

The standard jewelry for dahlia piercings is a pair of flat back labret studs — the same type used for monroe, labret, and other lip piercings. The flat disc sits on the inside of the cheek while the decorative top shows on the outside.

Initial jewelry: Your piercer will use longer posts (8-10mm) to accommodate swelling. These are temporary.

After healing: Downsize to shorter posts (6mm is typical) once swelling goes down, usually within 2-4 weeks. Downsizing is essential for dahlia piercings — the corners of the mouth are constantly in contact with your back teeth, and long posts significantly increase the risk of dental damage.

Gauge: Dahlias are typically pierced at 16G.

Material: Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) only for healing. This is especially important for dahlia piercings because the jewelry sits against the inner cheek and is in constant contact with saliva, food, and the teeth. Titanium is biocompatible and won't react with oral tissue.

Browse our threadless flat back studs and internally threaded labrets for dahlia-safe jewelry.

The Dahlia Piercing Procedure

Your piercer will have you rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to clean the inside of your mouth. They'll mark both corners carefully — symmetry is critical with dahlias, so take your time approving the placement. Look at the marks from multiple angles and smile to see how they'll look in motion.

Once you approve, the piercer will clamp and pierce one side with a hollow needle, insert the jewelry, then repeat on the other side. The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Expect bleeding and immediate swelling on both sides.

Aftercare

Dahlia piercings need both external and internal aftercare, just like other oral piercings.

External care: Spray sterile saline solution on both piercings 2 times per day. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Don't touch, twist, or rotate either piece of jewelry.

Internal care: Rinse with alcohol-free saline or saltwater mouthwash after every meal and after drinking anything other than water. The corners of the mouth trap food more easily than other lip piercing placements, so thorough rinsing is important.

During healing, avoid:

Kissing and oral contact for at least 2-3 weeks. Smoking — this is especially damaging for dahlia piercings because smoke passes directly over both piercing sites. Spicy, acidic, or very hot foods for the first week. Opening your mouth excessively wide (think: big burgers, apples, yawning). Playing with or clicking the jewelry against your teeth. Lip products, foundation, or makeup near the corners of the mouth.

Downsizing Is Critical

Dahlia piercings sit right next to your molars and premolars on both sides. This makes downsizing even more important than most lip piercings.

Once initial swelling goes down (2-4 weeks), get both posts shortened by your piercer. Long posts at the corners of the mouth will:

Constantly catch on your back teeth when chewing. Rub against the inner cheek, causing irritation and potential cheek tissue damage. Increase your risk of cracking or chipping teeth — especially molars. Feel uncomfortable and make eating awkward.

Dental and Oral Risks

Dahlia piercings carry higher dental risk than most lip piercings because of their placement at the mouth corners, directly next to the teeth.

Gum and cheek tissue damage: The flat backs sit against the inner cheek, not the gums like a labret or monroe. Over time, the disc can create a groove or indentation in the cheek tissue. Smooth, polished flat backs and properly sized posts minimize this.

Tooth damage: The proximity to your back teeth means the jewelry can contact your teeth during chewing. This can chip enamel or crack teeth over time. Keeping the tops small and posts short is the best prevention.

Difficulty eating: The first 1-2 weeks will require adjusting how you eat. Cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly with the center of your mouth helps. This gets easier as you adapt.

Drooling and saliva: Some people experience increased saliva production or minor drooling in the first few days. This is temporary and resolves as your body adjusts to the jewelry.

Regular dental checkups are recommended. Let your dentist know about the piercings so they can monitor for any tissue changes.

Dahlia vs. Other Lip Piercings

How dahlia piercings compare to other lip placements:

Dahlia: Corners of the mouth, both sides. Frames the mouth. Rarest of the common lip piercings.

Snake bites: Lower lip, one on each side. More common, lower on the face.

Monroe: Upper lip, one side. Single piercing, beauty mark look.

Labret: Center below the lower lip. Single piercing, versatile.

Ashley: Center of the lower lip, goes through the lip itself. Only one visible end.

Medusa: Centered above the upper lip. Single piercing, symmetrical.

All use flat back labret studs and heal in 2-3 months. Dahlias are the most dramatic because they frame both sides of the mouth simultaneously.

Can You Hide Dahlia Piercings?

Dahlias are difficult to hide. They're on both corners of the mouth — one of the most visible parts of the face. Clear retainers can make them less noticeable but won't fully hide them.

Wait until both piercings are fully healed (2-3 months) before switching to retainers. Check out our guide to hiding piercings at work for more options.

Signs of Trouble

Normal: Swelling for 3-5 days (both sides). Clear or whitish discharge. Tenderness when talking and eating. Tightness at the corners when smiling. Small irritation bumps at one or both sites.

See your piercer or doctor: Increasing pain or swelling after the first week. Thick yellow or green discharge. Fever. Jewelry sinking into the skin. Red streaks spreading from the piercing. Difficulty opening your mouth that gets worse instead of better.

Long-Term Care

Once healed, dahlia piercings are low maintenance. Clean during your normal face-washing routine. Check both jewelry tops regularly to make sure they're secure — with constant mouth movement, tops can loosen more frequently than other piercings.

If you remove dahlia piercings, the holes at the corners of the mouth usually close relatively quickly. Small scars or dimples may remain but are typically subtle.

Ready to find your dahlia jewelry? Browse our threadless flat back studs — implant-grade titanium with dozens of decorative tops to choose from.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a professional piercer for personalized advice about your specific piercing.