IF YOU’RE looking for a fun, unique way to express yourself that isn’t as permanent as getting a tattoo, you might want to try tooth gems, the latest trend dominating the scene.
Tooth gems, if you’re not yet aware, are gems or charms that are placed on your teeth in a super quick, perfectly safe, and non-surgical manner.
Since they’ve started to grow in popularity, several celebrities and influencers have started flaunting gems on their teeth, including Billie Eilish, FKA Twigs, Katy Perry, and Hailey Bieber.
What makes them so special? For 25-year-old tooth gem artist Kassy Talavera, they’re a great way to enhance your confidence.
“Every gem I apply is an opportunity to enhance one’s natural beauty, [leaving] them feeling more authentically themselves,” she stated.
“Overall, tooth gems offer a low-risk, high-impact way to enhance one’s smile and stand out from the crowd.”
If you do plan to get tooth gems, here are some things you should consider before making an appointment.
- Do your research beforehand.
While tooth gems can be removed at any time by your dentist, it’s important to do your research, just as you would when getting a piercing or a tattoo.
One thing you should research, for example, is if you’re able to get them. Talavera, for example, does not apply tooth gems to people who have veneers, false teeth, poor oral hygiene, or allergies to the dental materials that she uses.
You should also read up on the things you can and can’t do when getting tooth gems, especially within the first few hours of getting them—what you can and can’t eat or drink, can and can’t do, and so on and so forth.
Most importantly, search for dentists near you if you don’t already have one you regularly go to. Talavera explains that she is only licensed to place gems on one’s teeth, but is not authorized to remove them.
While tooth gems are completely safe, cases of tooth damage may occur if you, the wearer, are taking care of your teeth.
Whether you have tooth gems or not, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, and that includes scheduling regular visits to your dentist for check-ups and cleanings.
It would also help to look up pegs for the look you want before going into your appointment. While your artist is sure to help you with how the design’s going to look, it’s good to have a basis for what you’re going for. Is it something more simple or flashier?
Included in this is planning out your budget. Consult with your artist on how much your desired design would cost, then lessen or add to your design afterward depending on your budget.
- Be prepared to commit to it.
If you have no plans to get them removed, Talavera says that tooth gems can last anywhere from six weeks to a couple of years, as long as they’re cared for properly.
Eat or drink something before your appointment, because you won’t be allowed to consume any food or drink anything except clear liquids like water for the first two hours afterward. When you can eat, avoid solid food for a while, and only brush your teeth eight hours following your appointment.
If you smoke or vape, don’t do so for at least an hour after you’ve gotten your gems put in.
It’s also recommended to brush your teeth before your appointment, though in Talavera’s case, she has mini brushes on hand to prep whichever tooth she’ll be attaching gems to.
Depending on the design you choose, your appointment may last from 30 minutes up to an hour. While there’s no drilling, the tooth gem artist will be putting certain dental materials on your teeth.
In terms of long-term care, every time you brush, you must gently brush any teeth that may have gems on them. Avoid any abrasive toothpastes or harsh mouthwashes as well, because they may weaken the adhesive bonds in your gems.
You should also avoid using teeth whitening products or having your teeth whitened, given that the areas under the gem won’t be whitened and will, thus, remain the same color.
And of course, as mentioned earlier, it’s also recommended to go to the dentist regularly; Talavera notes that gems not only look better on clean, healthy teeth, but they last longer, too.
And if it takes a while for you to get used to new feelings and textures, you may not get used to the feel of your tooth gems right away.
In my experience, they felt rather foreign for the first few days, as if I’d just gotten braces put in.
I found myself checking my gems every time I ate or drank something, making sure they were all still there, even though all of them were sure to stay in place given that they’d been bonded to my teeth multiple times to ensure just that.
It’s been a few weeks since I had them put in, and now, the feeling no longer bothers me. Sometimes I forget they’re there, and I just find myself pleasantly surprised when I catch a glimpse of them in the mirror.
If you’re worried about feeling uncomfortable with your tooth gems, it would be best to start with a small design consisting of just one or two gems.
Rest assured, though, that you’ll hardly feel them in time, like when you get a new piercing, except without the grueling aftercare.
There may also be times where some dental adhesive may be left surrounding the gem, but it’ll wear off after a few weeks of brushing and eating.
- DON’T DO IT YOURSELF.
Talavera says that tooth gems are completely safe and don’t damage the teeth. Take note, though, that they should be applied by a trained professional.
She explains that the improper application or removal of these gems by someone unqualified may lead to enamel damage or even tooth decay, hence the importance of getting them done by a professional and following the aftercare instructions.
With that being said, it would be best to avoid the DIY kits you may see on Shopee, TikTok, or wherever else. Talavera says that the materials used in these kits are often unsafe for your teeth, and may lead to enamel damage in the long run.
It’s especially unwise to use whatever materials you may have lying around your house just to get tooth gems. Don’t use shoe glue, eyelash glue, superglue, gem stickers, or whatever else just because they look similar to what’s used with tooth gems.
All the items Talavera uses are safe to use on the teeth and were all approved by her friend, who is a dentist. These are all high-quality dental gems designed specifically for oral use, and her 18K gold charms are all made and produced in the Philippines.
The use of dental adhesive in her work instead of the typical glue you can buy at the store also ensures that the gems will stick to the teeth without causing any risks of damage or irritation to your chompers.
No matter how tempting it may be to do the process by yourself so you can save up a couple of pesos, trust me when I say it’s not worth it. Just like you’d trust getting a piercing or tattoo done by a professional, apply the same principle to tooth gems. Teeth don’t just grow back, after all.
Tooth gems are extremely low maintenance, and I’m speaking as someone who dyes their hair and gets tattoos and piercings done on a regular basis. Of all these things, tooth gems have provided me with the least hassle.
If you’re still hesitating to get tooth gems, remember: they’re easy to maintain, quick, painless, and they’re cute as f*ck. I’ve found myself smiling a lot more since I got them, which is why I recommend them to anyone who asks about them.
“[Tooth] gems make my clients feel more connected with themselves and amplify who they already are, revealing aspects of themselves they hadn’t fully recognized before,” Talavera noted.
“It’s all about fostering self-love and confidence. I want my clients to look in the mirror adorned with these gems, feel a connection to their true self, and think, ‘Yes, I f*ck with this, this is really me.’”
