Parents, take heed. Tooth gems and fashion braces are coming for Gen Z. Tutorials for DIY applications are easy to find on social media apps, and kits to get started are available at retail outlets like Walmart. What’s more, finding a technician to apply these smile “enhancers” could be as simple as a Google search. But is it safe? And what should parents and caregivers know about these fads?
We spoke to Dr. Stacey Smith, from Dental Designs by Alisa Reed in The Woodlands. As a Doctor of Dental Surgery educated at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, the expert dental opinions she offered surprised us. She gave us advice on why these dental trends could be unsafe and why she thinks you should always consult a dentist before attaching anything to your pearly whites. As a leading professional focused on patient safety and care, Dr. Smith does not incorporate tooth gems or fashion braces into her practice, but she was happy to provide straight answers about today’s trends.
Tooth Gems
Tooth gems are often applied in creative patterns made of varying materials with a clear or colored crystal appearance. Dr. Smith’s practice does not offer dental gems. Instead, she focuses on providing exceptional patient care for a wide range of concerns ranging from general dentistry to cosmetic, restorative, and sedation to treat concerns as varied as sleep apnea or TMJ. As a skilled dental surgeon, Dr. Smith threw some light on this trend.
“Tooth gems could hurt your tooth or mouth without proper placement,” she said. “Gems can affect your jaw, the opposing tooth, and the tooth you place it on. Without a proper bite your jaw can start hurting. Upon removal, the remaining ‘glue’ must be smoothed down with the dental drill. Any glue left on your natural tooth could be sharp or rough, causing you to rub or cut your lip. Rough areas can also attract bacteria and debris and potentially lead to a cavity.”
Fashion Braces
For many kids today, fashion braces approximate the look of braces with none of the pain and struggle with food – or so they hope.
Dr. Smith said, “Doing things to your teeth without complete and proper knowledge can permanently damage your smile or cost more than just a few dollars at Walmart. We are here to help. Come see us!”
Parents, breathe easy. Dr. Smith and the team of dentists at Dental Designs by Alisa Reed are more than qualified to assess the safety of any unexpected change seen in adults or children who have just headed back to school.
“Being trendy is fun but make sure you seek professional advice on oral trends before permanently damaging your mouth,” said Dr. Smith.
“Doing things to your teeth without complete and proper knowledge can permanently damage your smile or cost more than just a few dollars at Walmart. We are here to help. Come see us!”
