If you’ve been watching international celebrities on TV lately, you’ve probably noticed the shiny attachments on their teeth. These are so-called “tooth gems,” which are diamonds or metals. Not only has it garnered attention at home and abroad, but in countries like Australia, people are lining up to get tooth gems, The Guardian reported.
Tooth gems are not uncommon among international stars and celebrities. David Beckham’s second son, soccer player and fashion model Romeo Beckham, is a prime example. He showed off his teeth with toothgems in a selfie he posted while visiting Monaco last fall.
International celebrities, such as Kendall Jenner, one of the world’s top influencers, have also been spotted showing off their Toothgems. TikTok even has a video category dedicated to international celebrity Toothgems.
According to the Phoenix New Times, the origins of dental jewelry like tooth gems can be traced back to the ancient Mayans, who adorned their teeth with gemstones. The modern trend dates back to the early 2000s, and some consider the recent resurgence of the tooth gem craze to be a Y2K retro trend.
In the world of athletics, when U.S. gymnastics star Simone Biles bit her medal at the awards ceremony after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the tooth gem in her teeth was visible.
In Australia, a dentist has started a company that specializes in removable accessories called grilles that dentists attach to teeth. Dr. Mahir Shah practices in Perth, Western Australia. According to 9News Australia, Dr. Shah practices as a dentist and owns a company that specializes in removable grilles, such as Toothgems. He is one of the leading cosmetic dentists in the region. He has even used his knowledge and skills as a dentist to place jewel-encrusted dental implants in patients who were missing teeth.
Toothgem, removal is more important than application
The toothgem craze has raised safety concerns. “It’s not necessarily harmful, especially when it’s done by someone who understands the bonding protocol and safety procedures,” Dr. Evram Naruz, a dentist at Sydney’s enDental Studio, told the UK’s Guardian.
Tusgem attaches the jewelry using dental adhesive, the same kind used for braces or fillings used after tooth decay treatment, the newspaper reported. “There is only a risk if the procedure is not done by a qualified (dentist),” Naruz said.
“It is possible for jewelry that is not properly attached to the surface of the tooth to break off and cause damage to the tooth from chewing,” said Australian Dental Association President Christopher Sanzaro, who also recommends consulting your primary care dentist.
Toothgems need to be removed after a certain period of time, which experts say is more important than attaching them. Some netizens try to remove Toothgems on their own with pliers, which can cause irreversible damage to their teeth.
In a video posted on TikTok, American dentist Lulu Tang emphasized that pliers should never be used to remove Tusgem. The video has now been viewed by 350,000 people. “Tusgem removal should be done by a dentist, and if done incorrectly, it can be more expensive to remove than to attach,” Dr. Naruz said.
In fact, some international Toothgem companies that are run by dental hygienists recommend that you have them removed by a dentist. This is because a dentist is essential to reduce the risk of tooth damage during the removal process. Also, if the adhesive remains where the Toothgem fell, it can cause cavities in the gap between the adhesive and the tooth.
The American Dental Association is critical of jewelry on teeth and oral piercing. In resolutions adopted in 1998 and revised in 2016 and 2021, the association has stated its opposition to procedures such as piercing, tooth and jewelry attachment, and tongue cutting. This is because they increase negative health risks.
ToxGem from the University of Utah
In 2023, the University of Utah Hospital in the western United States shared tips with the public about ToxGem. First, seek professional assistance. There are only a limited number of natural teeth, and nothing is better than your own real teeth.
This is why it’s important to take care of each and every one of them, and dentists are the experts. “From a clinical standpoint, the dentist doesn’t just look at the tooth to place the (Tooth) Gem on, they look at the patient’s (oral health) as a whole,” said Dr. Rich Homer, professor and chair of the Department of Conservative Restorative Dentistry at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. “It’s up to the dentist to make sure the oral health is good, that the Tooth Gem is not masking a cavity, etc.”
You should also be aware of what you put in your mouth, such as glue, the hospital said. Never use glue or nail polish, for example.
“If you use materials that are not designed for the oral cavity, you’re introducing toxins into the mouth,” Homer said, “and you need a dental professional to make sure that you don’t overdo it (glue, etc.) or that it doesn’t build up in the mouth and cause cavities.” He adds that careful consideration should be given to the placement of jewelry to prevent inflammation of the gums or periodontitis.
Writer. Hyuntaek Lee
<A former newspaper journalist who worked for 18 years at JoongAng Ilbo>, <and Chosun Ilbo>. She is currently working as a freelance contributor and planning the second act of her life. In addition to journalism, she has worked in broadcast public relations and marketing at JTBC and Edelman Global Advisory in the United States. He is the recipient of a U.S. State Department Fulbright Humphrey Fellowship and a Google Asia-Pacific Newsroom Leadership Fellow.
