From small crystals to elaborate decorations: tooth jewelry is hip. Seven Flemish people show their mouth full of ‘tooth gems’. Kamilla Sain (26) and Regula Perschak (29) even made it their business. “Sometimes concerned mothers come along to the appointment and then walk outside with a tooth gem.” Although such a jewel does not come without risks, dentists say.
Marie Pauwels, Valeriya Gornostayeva 14-10-23, 11:30 Last update: 16-10-23, 10:57
You may have noticed already: tooth gems are extremely popular. Especially on social media, where the hashtag has already been viewed more than 394.8 million times on TikTok. We can safely speak of a hype, especially among the trend-sensitive ‘generation Z’.
And that is not surprising: tooth gems fit completely within the revival of the 2000s that has been going on for a while, and from which the youngest generation draws plenty of fashion inspiration. However, dental jewelry is not new, we first saw it appear around the turn of the century.
Kamillia, Regula and Marthe put dental jewelry in Belgium: “I am fully booked every week”
Big stars such as Rihanna, Travis Scott, Kourtney Kardashian, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, Rosalia and Drake are fans, and it-girls Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa have also been spotted wearing it.
V.l.n.r. Rosalia, Rihanna en Billie Eilish. © Getty Images/WireImage/ Instagram @billieeilish
But since this summer, the trend has also completely broken through with us. “Tooth jewelry is really booming,” according to tooth gem artists Kamillia Sain (26), Regula Perschak (29) and Marthe Vannieuwenhuyse (21). Each of them followed special training for this.
They offer their services via the Instagram pages bluetoothgem (Brussels) and thecleancandyclub (Ghent). “When I started my business, about two years ago, there were only two others in Belgium. Now we see the trend getting bigger and more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon.”
Left: Regula Perschak. Right: Marthe Vannieuwenhuyse. © Dario Marrnoi/Jonas Reubens
“As a result, customers trust such dental jewelry more, because there are many others who came before them,” says Kamillia. “I am fully booked every week.” The dental jewelry of today is no longer that of, say, a few years ago. “Nowadays, gems come in all colors of the rainbow and in many different designs.”
“People are also increasingly opting for a whole set of dental jewelry, in 18 or 22 carat (white) gold or in the shape of a butterfly, star or snake, for example. Swarovski stones in particular are very popular,” say Marthe and Regula.
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The majority of their customers fall under Gen Z. “Especially 18 to 25 year olds come by. About ninety percent are female, although since I started offering gold tooth jewelry I have more male customers than before,” says Kamilia.
“I am also receiving more and more customers in their thirties. It often happens that a skeptical mother accompanies her daughter to the appointment. When they see that it is done professionally and hygienically, both daughter and mother eventually walk out with a tooth jewel.”
Do you have one ‘tooth gem’? Then you often want more
Regula Perschak, Tooth gem artist
And once you have one, you (almost) always automatically want more. Like a tattoo, Regula confirms. “That’s a thing. Most people who come for the very first time are here again after a few weeks because they want more stones.”
How much does it cost and how long will it last?
Grills (a shape that you click over the entire tooth, ed.) are also in high demand. “That requires a completely different technique than a stone: you have to make an impression of the teeth and then a model in wax, after which you cast it in gold. They therefore take longer to make and they are usually made of gold or platinum, because silver can oxidize in your mouth.”
This makes them much more expensive. “You pay 400 to 500 euros for it,” say Marthe and Regula. For a classic tooth gem you pay the artist around 25 to 30 euros. The price tag of a whole set (8 gems) starts from 100 euros.
© Instagram @widyasoraya – bluetoothgem
You can have the jewelry set in the studio of the two ladies or under the professional supervision of a dentist, says Kamillia. “Their range of dental crystals is often limited to one size and one color. Removal is then done at the dentist, in the same way as a deep cleaning or removing braces.”
Walking around with the stones for years is certainly not the intention, Regula warns. “They last anywhere from two months to a year. Most chamois come loose on their own after about six months.”
Is it good for your teeth? This is what the dentist says
Dentists Laurence Amand and Frank Herrebout also noticed the trend in their practice. “Although I get a lot of demand for it, I am not eager to place dental jewelry myself,” says Amand. “Those jewelry can prevent you from brushing properly. We try to avoid things like that.”
“A lot of plaque and tartar can build up around the tooth. This attracts bacteria, which in turn can lead to tooth decay,” explains dentist Frank Herrebout. “Those who eat a lot of fruit or drink fruit juice and soft drinks are also more likely to develop stains on the teeth where such a stone is located. Your gums can also become infected more quickly. If the jewel is against your lip, you can get chafing.”
Left: dentist Frank Herrebout and right: dentist Laurence Amand. © RV/VUB
“If you have good oral hygiene and no cavities, such a mouth jewel is in principle possible,” say the dentists. And especially if it was set by a professional. We definitely advise against do-it-yourself kits that you can easily buy on the internet these days. “If you place it on a tooth or mouth that is in decay, you will only get misery,” they warn.
It is important before placing dental jewelry that the tooth is completely clean
Laurence Amand
Both dentists recommend avoiding cheap quality dental jewelry. “These edges will eventually crumble, allowing food and plaque to get behind them. Then you are well on the way to demineralization of your enamel, something you absolutely want to prevent.”
The doctors advise that it is important before placing dental jewelry that the tooth is completely clean. “To be sure, it is best to visit a dentist. And never keep such a jewel for more than two months,” says Amand. Also choose stones that have a rather flat shape, says Herrebout. “Less food residues and bacteria remain attached to it. And you can clean them more easily with your toothbrush.”
The dentist completely advises against grills. “If you grit your teeth, a grill like that will get in the way. This could cause tooth movements. But your tooth enamel can also be damaged when putting it on and taking it off.”
SWIPE. These Flemish people are taking the trend
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2023-10-16 22:47:28
#Swarovski #stones #popular #dental #jewelry #hip #lead #lot #misery
