How to Eat and Brush Your Teeth with Tooth Gems
You got your tooth gem on, and now you're wondering: can I still eat normally? Can I brush without knocking it off? The short answer is yes to both — you just need to know a few simple rules. This guide covers everything from what to avoid eating to how to brush, floss, and keep your gem secure for as long as possible.
Can You Eat and Drink Normally With Tooth Gems?
For the most part, yes. Tooth gems are bonded to the surface of your tooth, and everyday eating and drinking won't automatically dislodge them. Most people find that with a little awareness, their routine barely changes.
That said, tooth gems are held in place by an adhesive, and certain foods and drinks can weaken that bond over time. The gem itself won't hurt your tooth, and it's not going to affect how you chew. The main thing to protect is the adhesive, because once that weakens, the gem is more likely to fall off sooner than it should.
So the goal isn't to eat differently forever. It's to avoid a short list of things that put unnecessary stress on the bond, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours after application when the adhesive is still fully setting.
Which Foods Should You Avoid?
A few categories of food and drink are worth steering clear of, particularly right after application.
Hard and crunchy foods are the biggest risk. Things like hard candies, ice, crusty bread, and nuts can put direct pressure on the gem and pop it loose, especially if you're biting into them with the tooth where your gem is placed.
Sticky and chewy foods are another one to watch. Caramel, gummy candy, chewing gum, and similar textures can grip the gem and pull at the adhesive with repeated chewing. Over time, this adds up.
Very hot drinks can soften the adhesive bond. This doesn't mean you can never have coffee or tea again, but consistently drinking very hot beverages may shorten how long your gem lasts. Letting hot drinks cool down a little before sipping is an easy habit to build.
Highly acidic foods and drinks like citrus, vinegar-based sauces, and sodas can gradually break down the bonding agent with regular exposure.
The good news is that most everyday foods are completely fine. You don't need to go on a soft foods diet. Just be mindful around the categories above, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth when eating anything particularly hard or sticky.
How Do You Brush Around the Gem?
Yes, you absolutely should keep brushing your teeth. Skipping brushing to protect your gem is not the answer, and it would actually create bigger problems for your dental health.
The key is to brush gently around the gem rather than scrubbing directly over it. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and apply light pressure around the area where the gem sits. Brushing in small circular motions works better than back-and-forth scrubbing, which can catch the edge of the gem and work at the adhesive over time.
Avoid whitening toothpastes on or around the gem. Some whitening formulas contain abrasive particles that can wear down the adhesive or cause uneven surface changes around the gem placement over time.
Standard fluoride toothpaste is your best bet. Brush the rest of your teeth as normal, just ease up on the direct pressure right at the gem.
Is It Safe to Use an Electric Toothbrush?
You can use an electric toothbrush, but with some adjustments. The oscillating motion of most electric toothbrushes is fine for your teeth overall. The issue is when the brush head vibrates directly against the gem at full pressure.
If you use an electric toothbrush, switch to a gentle or sensitive mode if your brush has one. When you get to the tooth with the gem, either lighten your pressure significantly or switch to a manual brush just for that spot. It only takes a few extra seconds and it can meaningfully extend the life of your gem.
What About Flossing and Whitening?
Flossing: You should still floss every day. The trick is to guide the floss carefully around the gem rather than snapping it up through the contact point in a way that catches the gem. Slide the floss gently down and back up. If you use a water flosser, aim the stream away from the gem itself and keep the pressure setting low near that tooth.
Whitening: This is where you need to be careful. Whitening strips, whitening gels, and whitening trays can affect the adhesive bond and may cause discoloration around the gem placement area, since the gem itself won't whiten while the surrounding tooth surface does. It's best to avoid whitening treatments while you have a tooth gem in place.
If whitening is something you do regularly, either complete your whitening before getting a tooth gem, or wait until after the gem comes off naturally.
What Should You Do If Your Gem Falls Off?
First, don't panic. Tooth gems are not permanent, and they can and do fall off. The gem itself is small, so if it comes off while you're eating, just be careful not to swallow it.
If the gem falls off cleanly, the adhesive residue left on your tooth is generally minimal. You can gently brush the area. If you feel a rough spot or the residue is bothering you, a dental professional can clean it up easily.
Do not try to scrape off adhesive with any sharp object. That's how enamel gets scratched.
If you want to reapply, a tooth gem kit designed for home use makes this straightforward. Make sure the tooth surface is clean and completely dry before starting, since moisture is the most common reason a new application won't hold well.
How Long Tooth Gems Actually Last with Proper Care
With good daily habits, a DIY tooth gem typically lasts anywhere from one to two weeks, sometimes longer. Professionally applied gems using stronger UV-cured bonding can last several weeks to a few months.
The biggest factors that affect longevity are the quality of the initial application, how dry the tooth surface was when the gem was applied, and the daily habits covered in this guide. Grinding your teeth at night, drinking a lot of hot or acidic drinks, and brushing too aggressively near the gem are the most common reasons gems fall off earlier than expected.
The adhesive quality in your kit matters too. A well-formulated dental-safe adhesive makes a real difference compared to an underpowered substitute. Starting with a complete, properly formulated kit gives you the best foundation for a gem that actually stays.
Conclusion
Caring for a tooth gem isn't complicated. Avoid hard and sticky foods, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, skip the whitening products, and be careful when flossing around it. Do those things consistently and your gem will last much longer. When you're ready to add some sparkle, the Never Have I Ever DIY Tooth Gem Kit has everything you need to apply it right the first time. Shop at Never Have I Ever.
FAQs
Q1: Can I drink coffee or tea with tooth gems?
You can, but very hot drinks can soften the adhesive over time and shorten how long your gem stays on. Try letting your coffee or tea cool down a little before drinking. Iced versions are a safer choice if you want to be extra careful. This is especially important in the first day or two after applying your gem.
Q2: Will tooth gems damage my enamel over time?
When applied and removed correctly using products made for teeth, tooth gems should not damage your enamel. The gem sits on the surface and doesn't penetrate the tooth. The risk to enamel comes from using the wrong adhesive products or scraping at the residue improperly when the gem comes off. Always use a kit specifically formulated for tooth use, and let gems come off naturally or remove them gently.
Q3: How do I know if my tooth gem is still securely attached?
Run your tongue lightly over the gem. If it feels firmly in place and doesn't shift or wiggle, it's still well-bonded. If it feels like it's lifting at one edge or moves slightly, it's starting to loosen and will likely fall off soon. Avoid putting pressure on a loosening gem, since forcing it can make removal messier.
Q4: Can I reapply a tooth gem at home if it falls off?
Yes. Make sure the tooth surface is completely clean and dry before reapplying. Moisture on the tooth is the most common reason a new application fails. A complete Never Have I Ever DIY Tooth Gem Kit includes everything you need for a fresh application, including the adhesive and curing light, so you're set up for a proper hold from the start.
