Everything you need to know about getting a tooth gem
WORDS BY JULIA KITTELTY
Bejewel your smile.
The first time I saw tooth gems, they were adorning the smile of the multi-talented Flex Mami and I instantly knew she was onto something. Made of crystals, gems and diamonds, in recent years they’ve grown massively in popularity, in large part thanks to their Y2K aesthetic.
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To find out more about this phenomenon, I spoke with sister-duo Laura-Mae and Kitty, Founders of Naarm’s Lucky Tooth Gems, as well as Dr Sam Koh, Principal Dentist at Dental Boutique, about all things tooth gems.
How long do tooth gems last?
How long your tooth gem lasts depends on a few factors, namely where you choose to get it applied. If you’re after a long-lasting (we’re talking years) gem, Dr Koh suggests visiting your local dentist for a professional application.
If you’re looking for a shorter-term option, Lucky Tooth Gems has you covered. “We noticed that some clients want their gems to last a super long time, and others only want them to last a few weeks,” Laura-Mae and Kitty tell me. They created their at-home DIY Tooth Gem Kits for this exact reason, that way their clients can “try tooth gems without the commitment”. The sister duo also offer in-studio application, where gems can be semi-permanently applied using dental-grade tooth gem adhesive.
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When it comes to increasing the longevity of your tooth gem, aftercare is crucial. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth to where your gem has been applied, brush your teeth lightly and avoid eating or drinking anything besides water for around an hour after initial application to ensure your gems last as long as you need them to.
Are tooth gems bad for your teeth?
Dr Koh notes that while the gem will not damage the tooth itself, there is a small risk that the gem can interfere with eating and talking, but that the risk is very small. For those with sensitive or damaged teeth, do not despair – Dr Koh assures me that dental-grade tooth gems and adhesives are safe for use on all types of tooth structures.
Can you eat with tooth gems?
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Laura-Mae and Kitty recommend eating soft foods for the first 24 hours after application, as well as avoiding carbonated drinks. Dr Koh keeps it simple, telling me that you can usually eat whatever you like with your tooth gem installed, as long as you “keep it nice and clean with your normal oral hygiene”.
How much are tooth gems?
The price of your tooth gem will vary based on how long you would like it to last. A DIY kit from Lucky Tooth Gems will set you back $120, while Dr Koh advises that a professional dentist application can cost upward of a few hundred dollars per tooth. This cost does not include the actual gem itself, as “generally the patient will bring in the gem they wish to glue on”, whether that’s regular gems, crystals, or actual diamonds. It’s up to you!
How to remove a tooth gem
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Laura-Mae and Kitty advise that if you would like to remove your temporary gem before it falls off naturally, you can gently pick at it or use dental floss to simply pop it off. For a dentist-applied gem, Dr Koh advises that you do not attempt removal on your own and that you get your gem professionally removed so as to “avoid any damage to the underlying tooth structure”.
Convinced? Visit Dental Boutique for more info on long-lasting gems, or browse Lucky Tooth Gems’ DIY range here.
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