Top 10 Dental Accessory Trends: Tooth Gems, Grills and Coloured Bands

How we ranked these accessories

These accessories are ranked from safest to riskiest, judged by how likely each is to harm teeth, gums or braces, how reversible the harm is, and how much professional oversight is involved. It is an editorial judgement drawn from NHS, British Orthodontic Society and General Dental Council guidance on oral health, not a survey and not a measure of how popular each trend is. A reversible, low-contact accessory such as a coloured elastic tie ranks higher than something fixed to enamel by an untrained provider, and anything that needs healthy tooth structure to be altered ranks lowest. Evidence on tooth gems and grills in particular is limited, so we say where this is the case. Your dentist or orthodontist knows your mouth, so their advice about your own teeth takes priority.

Why braces change what is sensible

Enamel is the hard outer layer of a tooth, and once it is damaged the body cannot regrow it. Brackets, wires and bands already make cleaning harder, because plaque collects around them, and plaque that stays on enamel can cause decay and the white marks that sometimes remain after braces. Anything else stuck to a tooth surface adds another place for plaque to hide. The NHS advises careful brushing, cleaning between the teeth and regular dental check-ups for good oral health, and orthodontic teams give extra cleaning advice during treatment. As a rule, anything fixed to a tooth, or placed in the mouth where it can knock a bracket, deserves a conversation with your orthodontist first. Removable items that are cleaned like a retainer are a different category from items bonded in place.

1. Coloured elastic ties on braces

Elastic ties, also called ligatures, are the small rings that hold the wire in each bracket on many metal braces, and most practices offer a range of colours that are changed at each adjustment visit. They are the safest accessory on this list because they are a normal part of treatment, they are replaced regularly and they do not touch anything beyond the bracket. They suit most people with traditional braces, including teenagers who like to express themselves. They usually carry no extra charge, though you should ask. The main drawback is staining, because curry, tea, coffee, red wine and some fizzy drinks can discolour lighter ties, and ties lose their stretch over time. Your orthodontist decides whether ties are used at all, because some brackets are self-ligating and have no ties. Watch out for very pale or clear ties if you eat a lot of strongly coloured food, and for any tie that looks frayed or loose.

2. Patterned or glitter retainers and cases

Removable retainers, such as the wire-and-acrylic Hawley type, can often be made with coloured, patterned or glitter acrylic, and decorated cases are widely sold. Because the design is part of the appliance and the fit is unchanged, the safety question is the same as for any retainer: cleaning, wear time and keeping it away from heat. This option suits teenagers who struggle to wear a retainer consistently, and a design they like may help them keep to the schedule, although we know of no research that proves this. Costs vary by practice, so ask whether a design changes the price. Your orthodontist or laboratory decides what is possible, and clear plastic retainers cannot usually be decorated this way. Watch out for stickers or paint applied yourself to a retainer that goes in your mouth, since they can peel, trap bacteria or release unsuitable chemicals. Ask the practice to add any design during manufacture.

3. Custom-fitted mouthguards

A mouthguard is protective rather than cosmetic, but decorated and coloured guards are popular with young athletes. Dental organisations generally recommend a fitted guard for contact sports, and people with braces can be given an orthodontic guard that fits over the brackets. A properly fitted guard protects teeth, lips and braces from knocks, and may reduce the chance of broken brackets, which can slow treatment. It suits anyone playing contact or ball sports, and also some people who grind their teeth at night, who should ask about a different type of guard. Prices vary, and shop-bought boil-and-bite guards are cheaper but often fit poorly, especially over braces. Your dentist or orthodontist can advise which type is right. Watch out for boil-and-bite guards moulded over fixed braces without advice, since they can press on brackets or fit badly, and for any guard that makes breathing or speaking difficult.

4. Gold or shaped brackets

Some manufacturers and practices offer gold-coloured brackets or small novelty shapes such as stars or hearts, which are fixed in the same way as ordinary brackets. Because they are applied by an orthodontic team as part of treatment, the oversight is good, and they ask no more of your teeth than standard brackets. They suit people who want an accessory-style look and are happy to keep braces visible. Availability varies a lot between practices, and some charge extra, so ask what is on offer and how much more it costs. The main questions are metal content and size, because anyone with a nickel or other metal allergy should tell the orthodontist before any bracket is chosen. Your orthodontist decides whether a shaped bracket suits your teeth, as novelty shapes can be bulkier and harder to clean. Watch out for products sold online claiming to turn ordinary braces into jewellery, which are not part of treatment.

5. Professionally applied tooth gems

A tooth gem is a small crystal or ornament bonded to the front surface of a tooth with a dental adhesive, designed to be temporary and removed by polishing. Applied by a registered dental professional with proper isolation and adhesive, the risk is generally low, though the evidence base is small. The gem and the adhesive edge can collect plaque, so the tooth underneath needs careful brushing, and the bonding step involves roughening or etching the enamel surface, which is a reason to avoid doing it repeatedly on the same tooth. A gem should not be placed on teeth that have brackets, since the bracket needs the surface and plaque control matters. It suits adults with healthy teeth and gums who understand it is temporary. Ask for the total price before booking. Your dentist decides whether your teeth are suitable. Watch out for providers who are not registered; the GDC register lets you check.

6. Clip-on veneers

Clip-on or snap-on veneers are removable shells that sit over your own teeth, usually bought online or from a cosmetic provider without a clinical examination. They do not need drilling, which is their main appeal and the reason they rank above the more invasive items. They do carry risks. A shell that fits poorly can rub the gums, and one worn for long periods can trap food and plaque against the teeth underneath, raising the chance of decay and gum inflammation. They can also feel bulky, affect speech and eating, and break or fall out. Dental bodies warn that products fitted without an assessment can cause harm, and published evidence on long-term use is limited. They are not suitable with braces. Costs vary widely, so compare any price against a dentist's quote for bonding or veneers. Your dentist can examine your teeth and suggest alternatives. Watch out for impression kits used without guidance, since poorly taken impressions can stick.

7. Removable grills

Removable grills, sometimes called grillz, are metal or metal-effect covers made from an impression and slipped over the teeth for occasions or daily wear. They do not drill into the tooth, but they sit against the gums and teeth for hours and can press on them. Plaque can collect beneath, saliva flow is partly blocked, and some alloys contain nickel, which can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to it. Poorly fitting grills can rub the gum edges and cause soreness, and they are not safe to wear over braces because they can bend or dislodge brackets and wires. If worn at all, keep them for short periods, clean them like a retainer and remove them for eating and sleeping. Your dentist can check fit and gum health. Cost depends on the metal and maker, and lower-priced ones may use mixed alloys. Watch out for DIY impression kits and unknown alloys, and stop using any grill that causes soreness.

8. DIY tooth gem kits

Home kits supply gems with a small tube of glue, sometimes with a curing light, and promise a quick sparkle. They rank low because the adhesive may not be designed for use on teeth, because home application skips the isolation and surface preparation a dental professional would use, and because a gem placed badly can come off, be swallowed or leave a rough edge. Craft glue and nail adhesives in particular are not intended for the mouth, and removing a stuck gem by scraping can damage enamel. The kits are most tempting for teenagers and anyone who sees a quick video, which is why parents often ask about them. Prices are low, but a damaged tooth can cost far more to repair than a professional application. If a gem is stuck, avoid prying or scraping, and see a dentist who can polish it off safely. Watch out for any kit that tells you to use super glue or to apply gems over braces.

9. Oral piercings

Tongue, lip and cheek piercings are sometimes treated as accessories, but the NHS lists real risks, including infection, swelling, bleeding, damage to gums and chipped or cracked teeth, and jewellery can also loosen and be swallowed or inhaled. Repeated contact between metal jewellery and teeth is a known cause of chips and gum recession over time, particularly for tongue studs, and with braces there is an extra chance of catching a bracket or wire. Piercings can also make cleaning harder and heal slowly in a mouth that already has appliances. They are best avoided during orthodontic treatment, and if you already have one, tell your orthodontist so a sensible plan can be made. Costs of removing a damaged tooth restoration or treating infection can be significant. Your dentist can check gums and teeth for early damage. Watch out for jewellery that clicks against your teeth, swelling that does not settle or gums that look pulled back.

10. Permanent grills and gold caps

Permanent grills and gold caps are fixed over one or more teeth with cement or bonding, and some versions involve shaping the tooth first so the cover fits. That makes them the riskiest item on the list, because the change to a healthy tooth may be irreversible, and a cap that does not seal perfectly can let bacteria in and cause decay beneath it. Crowns are a real dental treatment, used when a tooth is badly broken or decayed, but fitting one purely for fashion is something dentists generally discourage and the GDC expects registered dentists to act in the patient's interests. The metal may also contain nickel. These items are not suitable with braces and do not suit young people whose teeth and gums are still developing. Costs can be high and repairs ongoing. Your dentist can explain what a crown involves and when it is justified. Watch out for anyone offering to cap healthy teeth without a full examination, x-rays and a discussion of alternatives.

Questions to ask before anything is fixed to your teeth

Whenever an accessory is bonded or cemented, ask who will do it, whether they are registered with the General Dental Council, what adhesive or material will be used, how it will be removed, what it will cost in total including removal and what could go wrong. Ask whether it can be placed over braces and how to clean around it, and ask what happens if it breaks or comes off. A good provider will answer plainly and will examine your teeth and gums first. Be cautious if you are rushed, offered a discount for booking now or told that no risks exist. Check the register at gdc-uk.org, and ask your own dentist for a second view if you are unsure.

If an accessory causes a problem

Stop using anything that causes pain, bleeding, swelling or a rough edge, and avoid prying at it with tools. Rinse gently with plain water, keep the area clean and see your dentist or orthodontist promptly. If a bracket or wire has been dislodged, call your orthodontic practice. Seek urgent care for swallowing or inhaling a piece of jewellery, difficulty breathing, spreading facial swelling or a high temperature, using NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate. A stuck item should be removed by a professional rather than forced. Mention allergies, such as to nickel, as soon as a rash or sore patch appears. Keep any removable item and the packaging, since details of the metal or adhesive help the clinician. If you are under 18, tell a parent or carer straight away rather than waiting, because small problems in the mouth are easier and cheaper to fix early than after weeks of rubbing or infection. Dentists are used to seeing these problems and will not judge you for having tried a trend.

Key takeaways

The safest accessories are those that are part of orthodontic treatment, such as coloured elastic ties, patterned retainers, custom mouthguards and practice-offered brackets. Professionally applied tooth gems are a cautious middle ground for healthy teeth without braces. Clip-on veneers and removable grills carry avoidable risks, DIY gem kits and oral piercings can damage teeth and gums, and permanent grills and gold caps can irreversibly alter healthy teeth. Anything fixed to a tooth should be placed by a registered professional, and braces wearers should ask their orthodontist first. This is general information, and your own dentist's advice comes first.

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This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist.