Zeda delves into the once-again popular sparkling tradition of tooth accessories, from grills to gems, exploring its origins, evolution and allure to the Irish scene.
In recent years, a trend of tooth accessorising in the form of gems and grills has been making waves in the realm of fashion, self-expression and the exploration of personal identity. Although this trend has popped up on the scene again seemingly out of nowhere, it’s definitely not new, just re-popularised and repackaged for the latest generation of people who love to stand out. Dazzling tooth accessories have captured the attention of celebrities, creatives, trendsetters and style enthusiasts alike and now the average person, offering a unique and temporary way to add a little razzle dazzle to one’s smile.
The practice of adorning teeth dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations. Archaeological findings suggest that early humans used materials such as shells, stones and animal bones to decorate their teeth, as described by Gillian Morriss-Kay in an analysis of the evolution of human artistic creativity. In ancient Rome, gold bands in teeth were a sign of power and prestige – everything truly has been done before in some shape or form. Today, we are probably instead inspired by the early 2000s, with custom grill creator Dexter from Dentist Dexter remembering growing up, “seeing rap music videos with artists rocking their gold grills and showcasing their love of gold jewellery,” which led him to creating his brand in 2021, notably one of the first to offer the service in Ireland. Another inspiration which kept popping up in conversations with creators is the recent resurgence of the Y2K aesthetic, with Sintia Azubike from Gemmed Dublin reminiscing about tooth-gemmed pop stars.
Tooth gems and grills have emerged again as a viral sensation with clients from different backgrounds and varying ages flocking to adorn their smiles with eye-catching accessories. The trend has been fuelled by a desire for individuality. Plus, because it’s not permanent, it’s “not a massive change” to someone’s look, according to Angela Mulhern from Claddagh Gems. People are using them to elevate their self-confidence, explains Miri Duru from Thee Ice Fairy, who explains how most who are initially apprehensive on their first appointments “can’t stop smiling and showing off their gems” afterwards. Ola Adelakun from Jaffa Jewellers believes the popularity of the trend is because we want to explore different ways to show our personality, and more simply, “as people, we like nice things”.
From speaking to service providers, what is most interesting about all the processes was how set they are, each describing a somewhat standardised way of creating, but all with different outcomes that showcase the beauty of what they do.
There are unexpected clients – Miri has mums coming in looking to try a little gem, and Dexter has made a custom grill for a 70-year-old client.
Ola and many creators spoke on how they design their pieces for their clients with a focus on the importance that safety comes first. For grills, once the design is confirmed, creators take a mould of the client’s teeth and make a plaster model, wax it up, then turn the wax into a chosen metal, add diamond gems if requested and polish the piece to perfection. The process takes a few days and once done, the client tries it on to ensure that it fits comfortably – Dexter reinforces the importance that the grills “are safe, adjusting as required,” by asking the client to bite down with the grills on and then shaving the set down if needed.
With gems, the process is much quicker; Miri explains how it’s “super safe”, using only dental-grade materials bought from reputable Irish brands and non-toxic, lead-free gems. An initial consultation helps to get to know the client and what they want, then a mouth guard is placed in. Gems are done by first going in with an etch, a primer for the tooth, then a bond to give the tooth extra grip, and then a composite, adding the gems which are then cured. Clients are asked to have a feel of their mouth to check they are comfortable. According to Miri, it’s essentially the same process as getting Invisalign and braces; “non-invasive and 100 per cent painless”. All the tooth gems service providers explain that they make sure the client is aware of the process of the procedure and how to take care of it afterwards. Sintia and Angela emphasise the importance of good oral hygiene for the effectiveness and longevity of the tooth gems.
Today, tooth accessories continue to evolve with advancements in technology and design. Grills are available in a wide range of materials, including gold, silver, platinum and even diamonds and can be customised depending on preferences and budgets. Tooth gems come in various shapes, sizes, and colours with the outcome depending on personalisation and style. Some people opt for classic gems such as diamonds, while others choose vibrant hues and whimsical designs to express their personality. It’s all down to the individual, if they are either looking for a little touch or a completely iced out mouth – “anything goes…everything looks cute when it’s sparkly,” says Angela.
The usual suspects of 18-25 year olds are the main clientele, some being inspired by seeing it all over social media and according to, Dexter “wanting a slice of the culture,” but there are unexpected clients too – Miri has mums coming in looking to try a little gem, where Dexter has made a custom grill for a 70-year-old client.
In the world of fashion and expression, tooth accessories have carved out a unique niche, blending history with contemporary style. From ancient civilizations to today’s trendsetters, these adornments have sparked conversations and added sparkle to smiles worldwide with the smallest details making the biggest statements. Although it’s newer to Ireland, it’s here to stay with some expressing that in the next 5-10 years, it’ll be more normal to rock something on your teeth just for the sake of it. I myself know that I’m not stopping anytime soon and will always be proud of my shiny teeth.
Dexter at Dentist Dexter (@dentistdexter) has been creating custom grills for clients since February 2021. Prices start from €85.
Sintia Azubike at Gemmed Dublin (@gemmed_ dublin) is a qualified tooth gem technician and offers a range of tooth gems from solid gold to high-quality crystals. Prices start from €40.
Angela Mulhern at Claddagh Gems (@claddagh_gems) holds tooth gem application sessions in London and Dublin. Prices start from €25.
Ola Adelakun at Jaffa Jewellers (@jaffajewellers) works across Ireland and the UK creating bespoke jewellery and grills. Prices start from €80.
Miri Duru at Thee Ice Fairy (@theeicefairy) is a certified tooth jeweller working with Swarovski Crystal tooth charms. Prices start from €25.
Grant Endziulis Animashaun at Grantzgrillz (@grantzgrillz) is a Dublin-based bespoke grills specialist working since 2022. Prices start from €80.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 issue of IMAGE Magazine.
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