The Truth About Tooth Gems

Tooth gems are making a major comeback as the go-to accessory for the fabulously rich and famous. The accessory trend has been rocked by the high-profile likes of Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Ariana Grande, but considering tooth gems are teeny-tiny, the fun '90s trend is experiencing a resurgence among regular folk, too.

They may be small, but tooth gems are expensive, with boutiques such as GBY Beauty in California offering services beginning at $75. Typically, tooth gems can set you back $100 or more. Sure, they can last for up to a year, but are we really about to drop a massive wad of cash on something so tiny it can barely be spotted on our faces?

Dentists aren't fans of this hot accessory, however. "It's never safe or healthy to put foreign objects on your teeth," SmileDirectClub's Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Jeffrey Sulitzer, DMD told Simplemost firmly, advising, "This can negatively affect the ability to chew or eat — and you could accidentally swallow it." There are more serious side effects to consider too, including tooth decay and infection, with certain wearers even reporting tooth discoloration due to dodgy adhesives. 

Sulitzer also warned, "You risk wearing the enamel off of your teeth, and could impact overall health by being a magnet for food pieces or overall germs and bacteria." He advised tooth whitening as a less dangerous alternative, noting it will have a better aesthetic result, generally speaking, last longer, and it's much safer. If you're on a budget, there are plenty of easy ways to whiten your teeth without spending a ton of cash.

If you're set on getting tooth gems, however, always ensure a reputable dentist applies them for you, as a blog post from Pearl Dental Clinic notes they'll, at the very least, ensure the right adhesive is being used. Much like any other beauty treatment, you get what you pay for when it comes to tooth gems (keep this in mind with DIY kits, too).

Bear in mind, too, that tooth gems make it harder to brush your teeth as food and debris can get stuck around the jewelry, causing cavities to develop usually unbeknownst to the wearer. Likewise, your whole mouth will be affected by this new addition. Pearl Dental warns that if the glue gets into your mouth's soft tissues it could lead to chemical burns and sores, as well as gum inflammation or even infection. Ouch. Not such a hot accessory now, is it?