Smartie Beads

Smartie beads (named after the M & M-like candy sold in the UK, US, and Canada) are flattened barbell beads. The typical purpose is to prevent the jewelry from damaging the gums and teeth and allowing free movement of the tongue. Usually, smartie beads are used in large gauge piercings to fit jewelry into shorter spaces, typically in large-gauge tongue piercings and apadravya piercings.

There also exist "bondage" beads, which are dimpled on the bead to attach a captive bead ring.