TOOTH GEM AFTERCARE

Gem longevity varies by gem placement, material, and aftercare adherence. Gems and charms can last from one month to several years depending on biology, diet, and hygiene. My gem installations are guaranteed for 30 days — if your gem falls before then, you may schedule a free replacement appointment.

Quick do's & don'ts:

Do not:

• chew ice
• bite nails
• grind teeth
• eat hard/sticky things
• aggressively brush too soon
• pick at tooth gems

Do:

• Maintain oral hygiene, including regular dental cleanings
• Contact me if a gem is hitting soft tissue in a way that is too rough, sharp, and/or irritating
• Contact a dentist if you experience any other type of irritation (allergic, etc.)

Before appointment:

• If you're going to whiten, do it 2 weeks in advance.
• Brush your teeth if you have the chance; if not, we have pre-pasted disposable toothbrushes available at the shop.

Immediately following service:

• You will feel the gem on your tooth; it will fade with time and you will not notice the gem after a while. Note: nothing should ever feel sharp; if something is sharp, get in touch as soon as possible so I can fix it.

For 24 hours after service:

• Avoid anything very hot, very cold, or acidic. If you must eat/drink these items please use other areas of your mouth to chew, or use a straw.
• Avoid foods very extreme in texture: too hard, sticky, crunchy, tough, etc. Again, if you must, please chew them with other areas of the mouth.
• Brush your teeth gently using a soft toothbrush. Floss to make sure the floss can pass through the contacts between your gemmed teeth.
• Avoid playing with the gem.

Ongoing maintenance:

• Continue to steer clear of hard, sticky, crunchy foods. If you eat them, use non-gemmed teeth to chew.
• Brush and floss your teeth as normal, and keep the area clean. The cleaner you keep your gem, the longer it will last. Charcoal toothpastes are not recommended.
• Whitening is OK but may weaken the gem's bond if whitening is very strong or frequent. You can trim this area out of your white strips or not put whitening gel on the teeth with gems, or go lightly in these areas. Keep in mind the area under the gems will not whiten.
• Keep in mind that the less you fiddle with it, the longer it will last. Similarly, the less you use your gemmed tooth/teeth to bite directly into things, the longer the gem(s) will last.
• See a dentist every six months for cleaning. They can inspect the area around the gem to ensure plaque accumulation is kept at bay, and that the area remains healthy.

When you want the gem off:

• Gems will eventually fall off on their own but there is no way to predict when this will happen. Some factors affecting longevity include pH balance of the mouth, diet, enamel quality, position on your tooth, size of gem, type of gem, and your oral hygiene habits.
• If you decide you are done with your gem before it has fallen on its own, you can visit your dentist to have it removed. I suggest calling beforehand to make sure this is a service they can offer you. Many dentists will include it with a cleaning appointment for no charge, but all dentists are different. I can refer you to a dentist if needed.
• Sometimes when a crystal falls, it will separate from its metallic backing. This is normal. You will see the shiny disc that the glass crystal sits on, and the glass part of the gem will be gone. The backing and remaining adhesive can be easily removed by a dentist with polishing/buffing. It will also often dissipate naturally as you brush the area over time.
• Please do not attempt to remove crystals on your own! This is not safe! Visit a professional dentist or orthodontist, or wait it out.