It was originally supposed to be a tongue piercing.
At A Glance Author Charis Contact Charis@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Scotty Studio Iron Age Studios Location St Louis, MO Ever since I was fifteen or sixteen, I have wanted my tongue pierced. I even picked out all the different designs of barbell ends and decorations that I would buy for it; it was like planning for a coming baby. When I finally turned 18, however, my father (a Baptist minister, unfortunately) told me that getting my tongue pierced would result in him promptly removing me from his dental and health insurance, which I can't really afford to do at this point in my life as a college student, although I would love to be completely financially independent. I tried to negotiate with him. He responded by giving me endless stacks of horror stories (all by doctors, of course) about chipped teeth and gum erosion and worn-off enamel and near-fatal hemorrhages. "It's a huge medical hazard," was his excuse. I begged and begged for the next three years but, sadly, still don't have the financial means to give up all my insurance for a tongue piercing, as beautiful as that would be.
However, after four tattoos, twenty ear piercings (twelve lobes, six cartilage, one helix, and one anti-tragus), one nose stud, and the requisite female navel piercing, I still wanted that elusive tongue stud. So, even though I still had my heart set on getting my tongue, I searched the piercings on BME to see if there were any possible alternative oral piercings; I knew it wouldn't be the same as having my tongue, but still, it's better than nothing. I really liked the look of tongue web piercings, especially their concealability, but, unfortunately, my tongue web isn't pronounced enough to be pierced.
It was then that I discovered the beauty of the scrumper. I loved its quirkiness, its discreet placement (If I ever needed to hide it in a job interview situation, I could), and just the sheer fun of being able to show a cute little unexpected silver ring when I smiled. After considering it for several months, and researching piercers in the area, I decided to finally just do it on my off day.
I went to Iron Age Piercing and Tattoo Studios (I had gotten my last two tattoos there and was extremely pleased with the results and the professionalism as well as the artists' knowledge and portfolios), asked to see Scotty, and was in the chair within 10 minutes. He put on the gloves, set out the tools, clamped my upper lip, and went to work. It hardly hurt at all, and felt like a strange pressure or pulling more than anything; I would definitely rather get a scrumper piercing twice a year than go to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. He fitted in a little 16-gauge silver CBR with a silver bead (getting the bead on was the hardest part), told me to rinse with diluted Listerine, and it was done. I went home and celebrated by eating Chinese food.
It didn't even hurt afterwards; it only burned slightly when I ate a pickle (I knew it would be painful but I had a craving) or when I rinsed my mouth with the diluted Listerine twice a day. Within a week the swelling had disappeared (which was minimal to begin with) and it felt completely healed.
The biggest adjustment was getting used to the feeling of having something stuck up there in my mouth. It was a nagging feeling like I had food stuck in my front teeth, or that there was a strange kernel of corn tucked inside my upper lip. It also felt strange when I felt plaque building up on it, so now I just brush the ring very carefully whenever I brush my teeth. It is like having a special extra tooth. And when I drink something really cold, the ring gets all chilly and funny-feeling.
When I smile widely or laugh or flip up my lip to show people, they always gasp and say, "What the hell IS that?" or "That must have been so painful!" or "Damn, that is just fucked up."
My favorite reaction was from an autistic guy who I work with; he jumped back and yelled, "Who did that to you? Who did that to you?" and I tried to explain but he just looked very alarmed so I tugged my lip back down to hide it. And I love being able to just bare my teeth and frighten people with the gleaming silver bead of my piercing.
I've had it in for about six weeks, and still haven't had any problems. I am completely used to it and think it is absolutely beautiful and will be very sad when it grows out eventually. And by the way, I have still managed to hide it from my father.