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Why Rihanna’s tooth gems are the latest smile trend and what dentists want you to know

Tooth jewels negatively affect dental health by acting as magnets for plaque and bacteria, leading to enamel erosion, decay, and gum irritation

3 min readJan 24, 2026 07:43 AM IST

Dentists warn they can damage enamel, increase infection risk and even interfere with voice control, especially in singers.

Tooth gems, a celebrity-driven oral fashion trend, are gaining popularity among young Indians as a temporary style statement. (Image via thedentaldistrict)

If you remember the sparkling smile of Katy Perry, Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Billie Elish, you would know that they started the trend of tooth gems to style up their look — small, decorative crystals, diamonds or metal studs that are bonded to the surface of a tooth with a dental adhesive. Young Indians are quickly following this trend as a temporary, non-invasive way to flash their smiles and stand out in a crowd.

But oral fashion trends are now impacting dental health, says Dr Bibhakar Ranjan, a Germany-based dentist and preventive oral health advocate. Citing the example of singer-songwriter Freddie Mercury, who had protruding upper incisors but refused any corrective surgery, he says, “Mercury believed that altering his oral anatomy could affect his vocal resonance, articulation and ability to reach higher octaves. His instinct was correct: the mouth is not merely an aesthetic – it is a musical instrument.”

Why tooth gems can affect your voice

For singers, the voice relies heavily on muscle memory developed over years of training. “Even minimal changes to tooth surface or tongue contact points can disrupt this learned coordination. While some individuals may adapt over time, others experience persistent discomfort, reduced control in higher registers, or changes in vocal clarity — particularly under microphone amplification, where subtle phonetic alterations become noticeable. This is why vocal coaches and music-medicine specialists often advise musicians to avoid elective oral modifications unless medically necessary, especially during active performance periods,” explains Dr Ranjan.

How they affect oral health and hygiene

Tooth jewels negatively affect dental health by acting as magnets for plaque and bacteria, leading to enamel erosion, decay, and gum irritation. They create hard-to-clean spots, and the bonding process or improper removal can permanently damage or weaken tooth enamel.

The lower front teeth are highly prone to plaque accumulation. Multiple tooth gems or metal accessories in this region may act as plaque-retentive sites, increasing the risk of cavities and gingival inflammation. They may erode the enamel surface as attaching the gem requires etching or roughening the enamel, weakening the tooth’s protective surface.

If positioned near the gumline, the jewel can cause irritation, inflammation or damage. Once removed, the spot where the gem was placed could become discoloured or have a weakened enamel, sometimes requiring cosmetic repair. The gem can chip, scratch, or break opposing teeth, and can cause sores on the inside of the lips or cheeks.

Why you should not go by viral trends

As trends gain visibility through celebrities and social media, it is especially important that young people receive accurate information before making similar choices. “If someone chooses oral jewellery, it should always be placed by a qualified dentist. The number and size should be kept minimal, oral hygiene must be meticulous and regular professional cleaning is essential. Fashion trends evolve but tooth structure, gum health and vocal function are lifelong assets,” says Dr Ranjan.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More