What's a smartie bead?

Smarties beads- so called because they look like the candy- are flat beads. Some times called buttons, these beads are designed to limit the damage to teeth and gums when worn in tongue piercings. An added bonus? They can help your tongue move more freely.

Aside from the tongue, smartie beads are used in heavy gauge jewelry to fit in tighter places- a round bead is just too big some times! Heavy gauge tongue and apadravya piercings are common places this would apply. Smartie beads are also a common style for dermal tops (see photo - look familiar?).

Beyond function, these bead are also found on jewelry like cartilage studs for a cute, simple look.

Smartie beads can be internally or externally threaded . Read more about types of beads here.