How Tooth Gems And Grillz Took Over Fashion
Dental artistry reaches new heights as blinged out smiles hinge on fashionable self-expression
In the current era of Y2K nostalgia and creative body accessorising, there is one trend making a dazzling comeback: diamond-encrusted, jewelled-out teeth and tooth gems. Flashing your pearly whites has taken on a whole new meaning as dental artistry is levelling up.
Gnashers are being adorned with delicate multi-coloured rhinestones or gold, silver and diamond grillz, proving that oral aesthetics are once again in vogue. Dental adornment is entering its bad bitch era.
Pinterest reported an 85% increase in searches for "tooth gems" in 2022 driven by Gen Zers inventive approach to self-expression. And TikTok, the platform powerhouse that has social media devotees scrolling for hours on end, has witnessed 393 million views for videos relating to the hashtag #toothgems — further solidifying our sparkly friends' popularity and cultural dominance.
Today's tooth gem trend carries a unique, young spin. Teens are documenting the process of getting gems applied and sharing DIY techniques as oral trends reach new, unchartered, fashionable heights. However, professionals caution against attempting the trend at home, emphasising the potential dangers involved.
Regardless, Zers are throwing caution to the wind and the stamp of approval persists as smiles become the latest canvas for a nostalgic makeover. The semi-permanent nature of tooth gems ensures a consistent demand as clients regularly use them to switch up their looks.
This has led to the rise of specialised studios like Tooth Kandy in Los Angeles, which not only applies tooth gems but also trains and educates technicians. In Singapore, Third Eye Toothgems embraces the Y2K aesthetic, offering a wide range of dental makeover options from Playboy bunnies to full-coverage crystal caps and single stones. And in the UK Crystal Canine, too, has seen a surge in customers that want to maximise their smiles.
Not to be outdone by tooth gems, grillz are the dental dazzlers that do more than patch over unwanted cavities. They’ve filled a cultural void with a swagger that slid its way into the mainstream spotlight, thanks in large part to the rapper Nelly’s 2005 anthem ‘Grillz’ which secured their place in the music hall of fame.
Mundane molars have become a thing of the past as molten metal moulds are a billboard of bravado, a proclamation of identity, and a declaration of distinction. Eyes may be the windows to the soul, but with grillz, teeth do all the talking.
But grillz made their debut long before this. Picture the Etruscans and Mayans of yore, rocking gold wiring back in 800 BC and 900 AD, some went so far as to toss aside their front teeth to make room for gold statement pieces. Now that's setting the bar high. And in the 70s, gold grins made a triumphant comeback thanks to gold caps slapped on a number of patients by dentists. Grillz were ripe for the taking.
Roll into the 90s, and grillz set America ablaze before jetting across the pond to the UK. Figures like Goldie, Wu-Tang, and Method Man hopped on the grillz train. Gold or silver, bedazzled or understated, intricate patterns or sleek simplicity, these figureheads put grillz in the spotlight — their fashion prominence was set.
And these days, grillz have leapt everywhere from rappers' mics to red carpets, shindigs to fashion showdowns, but if one thing is for sure, it’s that grillz are where it’s at.
While tooth gems and grillz are a fun way to spice up appearances, the practice of embellishing teeth has deeper roots. In ancient civilisations, teeth embellishment denoted wealth and social status. Moreover, tooth jewellery holds significance in Black communities, serving as a stylistic choice and form of self-expression.
But the tides have turned in the land of oral embellishment as white celebrities such as Billie Eilish, Charli D'Amelio and James Charles show off their accentuated smiles to millions of followers who think that these people are the ones to set such a trend. Boy, are they wrong.
The current tooth gem and grillz aesthetic represents a fusion of luxury, self-expression and oral aesthetics, led by social media’s dentistry renaissance and a need to stand out from the crowd.
As the resurgence of hyped-up teeth take over feeds, standout smiles are being used as a fashionable form of embellishment that's loud and in your face, quite literally. No filters necessary, just carats and charisma. Gems. Grillz. Tooth caps. Pearly whites. Whatever you want to call it, accessorised teeth are the vibe. But are they your vibe?
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