For most of us, having a smile that meets the status quo is desirable. There are a select few that choose to express themselves through their drastic changes in their appearance. An example of this would be die-hard vampire fanatics that have their teeth reshaped to appear as fangs. Dr. Matthew Messina, advisor to the American Dental Association (ADA) worries that filing teeth is likely to weaken tooth enamel and tooth structure, leading to serious oral health issues. Your Katy dentist, Dr. Deborah Gennero, discusses some other extreme dental fads that could have dire consequences on the future of your smile.
Adorning Teeth with Diamonds
Temporary jewelry on teeth is a growing trend that sounds like a fairly harmless idea. There are some dentists that keep FDA-approved glue in the office to provide patients with requested jewel adhesion. There are also do-it-yourself kits available on the market. Unfortunately, either can lead to a host of tooth damage, according to the ADA. Tooth jewelry has the potential to trap bacteria, food and saliva, which will result in plaque and tartar buildup. This presents a great likelihood that tooth decay will develop, rotting the very teeth that you are trying to beautify, without you even realizing it.
Turning Teeth into Diamonds
Recording artist Kanye West posted a photo of himself on Twitter, showing that he had replaced his bottom teeth with diamonds. This is actually quite symbolic, since the enamel on your teeth is the second hardest substance on earth, after diamonds. Unfortunately, in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Mr. West proclaimed that these weren’t just temporary jewels, but a permanent replacement of his teeth. Dentists are speculating that the diamond teeth are probably actually crowns covered in diamonds. Even still, the weight of the diamonds, and their contact with top teeth are almost a guarantee for tooth damage over time.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Katy Dentist
If you have any dental concerns, or just need a checkup, contact our Houston dentist office at (281)578-6200. We provide comprehensive dentistry to patients from Clear Lake to The Woodlands, including Katy, West Houston, Sugarland, the 77084 zip code, and surrounding neighborhoods.
