Tooth jewellery is the kind of thing you might imagine a dentist would thoroughly disapprove of, but this isn't typically the case. These small decorative elements can be adhered to a tooth painlessly using the same kind of adhesive agent that might be used to secure braces, and they're certainly a far healthier way to personalize your smile than tongue bars or lip piercings.
That said, it's a good idea to see your dentist after you have your tooth jewellery fixed to make sure you avoid any of the following four problems.
1. Gum Irritation
As stated above, your jewellery should be adhered to your tooth using the same kind of adhesive used for other dental purposes. That said, your dentist should really check that it has been adhered in the right place and that none of that adhesive has gotten onto the gums. Your gums are quite sensitive, and they can become irritated if certain compounds are kept quite close to them. When this occurs, they may begin to recede.
2. Tooth Discoloration
The last thing you want when your tooth jewellery is finally removed is to find a patch of discoloration where it used to be. This isn't too common, but it's a problem that can arise if you leave the jewellery on for too long, especially across an area with eroded enamel. A dentist will be able to examine the state of your tooth enamel, determine whether any discoloration is likely, and give you a set date for when the jewellery should be removed.
3. Poor Placement
Sometimes a piece of tooth jewellery is simply placed poorly. For example, some people have their tooth jewellery stuck quite close to the gap between two teeth, which can make it very hard to floss. Even worse, some people may place their tooth jewellery on a portion of filling or bonding, which isn't where such decoration was meant to go. Your dentist will be able to assess the site properly.
4. Poor Bond
Finally, you'll want your dentist to take a look at your tooth jewellery to ascertain whether or not the bond seems strong enough. Such jewellery tends to be quite small, so it will rarely present a choking hazard. On the other hand, you don't want to end of swallowing it. Even worse, it could come out while you're eating; you're unlikely to notice its absence until you've bitten your teeth down against it, which could cause damage. Your dentist will be able to take a look and make sure the jewellery has been properly bonded.
