Like many other Y2K trends such as low-rise jeans and sparkly, pastel eyeshadow, tooth gems are making a comeback. Affixing tiny little jewels to your teeth adds sparkle and edge to your smile – but can this embellishment harm your teeth?

Here’s what you need to know about tooth gems and whether they are bad for your teeth so that you can make an educated decision about whether or not this bling is for you or not.

The Significance Of Dental Bling

Many people are willing to go through some pain and spend a great deal of money in order to feel confident in their bodies and to express themselves. From dying your hair to getting tattoos to having body modifications done, there are countless ways to change your appearance so that it suits you. Tooth gems can be either temporary or permanent modifications, depending on whether or not they are embedded into your teeth. 

Tooth gems aren’t a recent trend, though. The same way that people all over the world have been tattooing themselves for both fun and cultural reasons, tooth jewelry has been used in various cultures as signs of wealth, ascendence into adulthood, and more.

Mayans decorated their teeth with gold, jade, and turquoise. Pirates, Vikings, and people all over the world have used gold and precious jewels and metals to enhance their smiles. More recently, Black hip-hop artists popularized decorative grills. 

Today, dental bling is regaining its popularity as people all over the world see it as a form of self-expression. 

What Are The Different Types Of Tooth Gems?

You can opt to either have gems glued onto the surface of your teeth, in between your teeth, or embedded directly into your teeth. If you have the gems glued on, they are temporary, and typically last about 6 months. If you have them embedded into your teeth, they are permanent. 

These gems can vary from cheaper acrylics to precious stones, like Swarovski crystals and diamonds. You may choose to have either a simple gem applied or opt for a more decorative design. 

How Is Dental Jewelry Applied?

You can have gems applied to your teeth anywhere from a tattoo parlor to a cosmetic dentist’s office. Bear in mind that people do not need certifications in order to do this. As such, if you want to ensure the best results in a hygienic environment, you’ll want to go to a highly-rated cosmetic dentist with a good track record.

Depending on whether the gem is temporary or permanent, application varies. Temporary gems are glued to your teeth. Permanent gems require drilling a hole into your tooth. Tooth gems can also be applied to crowns and veneers, but not Invisalign or other invisible aligners.

Are Tooth Gems Bad For Your Teeth?

The American Dental Association advises against tooth gems, due to the many negative effects that they can cause. While these gems may seem pretty and fun, they can cause lasting damage to your oral health. 

Some of the ways in which tooth gems are bad for your teeth include:

• Discoloration. If you ever want to have your gem removed, the spot where it was can be a different color than the rest of your tooth, which is not easily fixed – if it can be at all.
• Tooth damage. Using these gems for a prolonged period of time can scratch and chip the enamel of your teeth.
• Difficult to clean around. Plaque can build up on and around the gem, but due to their size, it can be challenging to clean around them. This puts you at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
• Lesions on the inside of your lip. The gem can cut the inside of your lip.
• Breaking teeth. When you bite down, you could break the opposing tooth.
• Trapped food particles. Gems can trap bits of food, which increases your risk of tooth decay. 

These gems can also cause sensitivity, inflammation, and allergic reactions. If you have a permanent tooth gem removed, you’ll need to have the hole filled with a dental filling in order to prevent issues. 

Most dentists refuse to apply or use tooth gems due to the many complications they can cause in your oral health.

Cosmetic Dental Services To Improve Your Smile

If you’ve been considering tooth gems because you’re insecure about your smile, VIP Smiles offers cosmetic dentistry services that won’t hurt your teeth. From teeth whitening to dental bonding to veneers and more, we’re here to help you feel confident in your smile. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment!

Did you know that you have over 700 different species of bacteria in your mouth?

While this may sound alarming, not all of the bacteria in your mouth are bad. Some are actually beneficial to your oral health. Your oral microbiome begins at birth and continues to evolve throughout your life. While the bad bacteria can cause cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues, the good bacteria actually protect your mouth.

Given that many people hear “bacteria” and assume it’s harmful, you may not know much about the bacteria in your mouth, aside from the fact that the bad bacteria can lead to decay. Here are some interesting facts about your oral microbiome to help you understand its ecosystem and how it impacts your mouth better. Let’s jump into it!

#1. Good Bacteria Improves Your Overall Health

It’s impossible to get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, and that’s a good thing. Some strands of bacteria actually improve your overall health. As such, you actually want to foster the growth of helpful bacteria in your mouth.

Some of the ways that these bacteria can help you include:

• Improved digestion. Digestion starts in your mouth as you chew and break down food. Your saliva has good bacteria in it that helps break apart sugars and proteins. They also protect you from harmful bacteria in food. 
• Protection from cavities. Bad bacteria eat away at your teeth, leading to decay. The bacteria in your saliva help to wash away bad bacteria, which provides you with protection from cavities.
• Freshened breath. Since bad breath is the result of the buildup of bad bacteria, when good bacteria fights against it and washes it away with saliva, this helps to control bad breath.

Your oral health plays an important role in your overall health. Poor oral health can result in issues such as: pregnancy and birth complications, pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

#2. Vice Versa: Your Overall Health Can Impact Your Oral Health

Some health problems can impact your oral health and through your oral microbiome out of a healthy balance. For instance, people with diabetes can’t control their blood sugar. This results in an overgrowth of the bad bacteria in your mouth. 

Similarly, if you don’t eat a healthy diet and drink lots of sugary drinks, this gives the bad bacteria in your mouth plenty to feast on. If you brush your teeth right after having something acidic, you can damage your enamel. An unhealthy diet allows harmful bacteria to lay claim to your mouth, leading to an increased risk of gum disease, cavities, and even tooth loss.

On the other hand, if you stick to a healthy diet and drink more water than anything else, this can help to flush out bad bacteria and promote the growth of good bacteria. When you drink enough water, your body is able to produce a healthy saliva flow, which protects your teeth from erosion.

#3. An Imbalanced Oral Microbiome Is The Primary Cause Of Tooth Decay

When bad bacteria dominate your oral microbiome, you are more likely to suffer from oral health problems. This can occur for a number of different reasons, from a poor diet to not drinking enough water to poor oral hygiene. In order to maintain the balance in your mouth, you must ensure that you brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and that you see your dentist for your regular dental cleanings every 6 months.

In some cases, genetic factors play a role in your risk for cavities and other such oral health issues. This is more of a predisposition, not a guarantee that you’re doomed to have oral health problems. Regardless of whether or not your family has a history of lots of cavities and gum disease, the most common factor in oral health problems is poor oral hygiene and an imbalanced oral microbiome.

To decrease your risk of tooth decay, ensure that you do what you can to maintain a healthy mouth. If ever you have any questions about what you specifically should do to prevent oral health problems, contact your dentist. They will be able to provide you with informed answers and personalized advice for your specific concerns.

Dental Services In Syracuse, UT

VIP Smiles provides dental services to help you with your oral health. From regular cleanings to orthodontics to cosmetic dentistry and more, our dedicated professionals are here to ensure that you receive top-notch services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!