The power of the TikTok trend is a power unlike any other. The control it holds over the hearts and minds of today’s youth is almost unparalleled. If an influencer promotes a certain product or “hops on” a certain trend, you can rest assured you’ll see that item or trend spreading like wildfire among a massive base of America’s youth.

            This grip is just as strong when it comes to the tooth gem craze.

            If you feel a little lost reading that, don’t feel bad. Trends like this roar to life quickly—and can die out just as fast.  Essentially, the trend to affix—whether temporarily or semi-permanently—one or multiple gems to the enamel of your teeth, creating a Y2K-inspired look popular with many today.

            So, the question is, what should you do if your child is one of the many this summer wanting to fill up the long, hot days with this DIY beauty project? Today, we’ll assess the tooth gem trend from a dental health perspective. We’ll examine the risks and potential benefits to better understand whether this is a trend you should hop on… or hop off.

How Did This Trend Get Started?

            Do the names Katy Perry, Hailey Bieber, and Charlie D’amelio ring a bell to you? If not, that’s okay. All three of these celebrities are just a few among the many who have popularized this bedazzled-smile trend.

The premise is simple: what we see the Biebers do, we want to do, too. During the long summer months, you may have noticed your teen scrolling through social media and coming away with a variety of trends they desperately want to try—tooth gems are no exception. Pinterest has reported a staggering 85% uptick in searches for “tooth gems” in 2021 alone! Just last summer, the TikTok views for the hashtag #toothgems stood at 130.4 million, and surely has only risen from there.

Writer Fiona Embleton noted that it was only a matter of time before this beauty trend was going to pick up. Glittering teeth fall perfectly in line with our craze over anything Y2K-related. The bedazzled teeth will fit right in with all the low-rise jeans and frosted eyeshadow.

How Does It Work?

            Those looking to procure dental bling seek out a dental professional, who will apply one or multiple gems with the proper adhesives, similar to the kind you might expect to be used in a dental filling. The gems may then last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on how well you care for it. While reports say the classic circular gem is the most popular, you can find tooth gems in all different shapes and sizes.

            The real danger comes when the person eager for some bling decides to skip the necessary time or expense associated with seeing a dental professional and apply the gems themselves. This, of course, carries a much greater risk than would normally be associated with the fad and is never recommended by dentists.

What are the Risks of Tooth Gems?

            It’s important to understand first and foremost that dental bling, as the name implies, is a cosmetic procedure. It offers no health benefits and no restorative help to your teeth whatsoever. Tooth gems are a purely aesthetic choice.

            With that understanding, we can look at some of the risks that they carry. If applied by a qualified dental professional, the risks are low. However, you may still decide that the disadvantages outweigh any aesthetic benefit.

As Healthline explains, the risks of a bedazzled smile include:

 

• • Swallowing or choking on the gem should it fall off

• • Tooth sensitivity

• • Allergic reaction

• • Chipped or damaged adjacent teeth

• • Enamel wear or abrasion

• • Gum inflammation or recession around the jewelry

• • Damage to your lips if the jewelry rubs against them

• • Tooth decay due to impaired brushing

• • A bad smell in the mouth

• • Mouth infection

• • Tooth staining

Furthermore, it’s important to note that the risks and long-term impact of this trend haven’t been fully assessed yet. We don’t completely understand the effect this could have on your dental health years down the road; research is currently limited.

Is It Ever Okay to Apply Tooth Gems at Home?

            No.

            No, no, and definitely not—no matter how bored your son or daughter may get during these summer months, they’re not so bored that they should be allowed to DIY any dental procedure! While the concerns above shouldn’t be taken lightly, the risks go way up if the gem is applied by the wearer out of a DIY kit they ordered online.

            As Embleton writes, “Advice from dentists hasn’t stopped folks from taking the DIY route with nail art gems and superglue, but it should.” By foregoing the expertise of a dental professional, the person pursuing dental bling opens themselves up to using unsafe adhesives, improper application methods, and sticking gems to teeth in the wrong place or on teeth that may not be healthy enough to wear the jewelry in the first place. The “would-be dentist” simply doesn’t have the dental expertise necessary to carry out the procedure while minimizing risks and negative side effects.

What the experts say

            Dr. Anjali Rajpal, DMD, is a cosmetic dentist who spoke to this issue. She remarked that, “It sounds obvious, but nobody should be ingesting toxic glue. Besides, glue doesn’t properly bond the gem to the tooth structure as well as dental materials. It’s far safer for a tooth gem to be applied by an experienced dentist, using a non-toxic material and polished to avoid any bacterial traps, as it will last longer, be more comfortable and hygienic.”

            The same is true for removing the tooth gem. When the wearer has had enough, they may be tempted just try and pry off the piece of jewelry, but dentists would staunchly warn them against this impulse. Dr. Apa, an aesthetic dentist in New York, says that, “You shouldn’t DIY anything in dentistry. Tooth gem application is a dental procedure, and all procedures should be performed by a professional.”

So Are Tooth Gems Dentist-Approved?

            The verdict is in: when it comes to dental bling, do not try this at home. It may seem to like a fun summer trend sweeping the nation, but the risks are far greater than any potential benefit.

            However, if the wearer visits a qualified dental professional to have tooth gems applied, then the risks are reduced. This does not mean that the jewelry carries no negative effects—as discussed, there are several potential side effects, including swallowing hazardous material, stained and decayed teeth due to impaired brushing, inflammation in the mouth, and more. But the risks do go down significantly if the jewelry is applied by a trained dental expert who can monitor the situation.

            If you choose to say yes to your child’s request to hop on the trend of dental bling, be sure to remind them that it will take increased vigilance in their oral hygiene routine to maintain a healthy mouth. The gems can trap plaque and create a home for bacteria, making it extra-essential to stay on top of brushing and flossing. Ensuring regular check-ups will also be crucial. If the jewelry is causing issues, your dentist needs to know as soon as possible!

            Though there are risks involved, as long as they are applied by a dental professional and not DIY, tooth gems can be a fun means of self-expression without too great a cost to dental health. Be sure to consult your dentist before moving forward with any tooth gem procedures. You can reach our office at (423) 436-5906.