Aftercare, day by day.

The first 14 days decide whether your gem lasts two months or two years. A practical protocol from the studio, written in the order you'll actually use it.

The Gemist Hub 04 March 2026 8 min read

The first 24 hours

01 Do not eat or drink anything for 60 minutes after placement.
02 Stick to room-temperature water for the rest of the day.
03 No brushing over the gem for the first 12 hours. Brush the rest of your teeth normally.
04 Sleep on your back if possible. Side-sleeping against a pillow can create lateral pressure on front-tooth placements.

02

Day 2 to 7

01 Soft foods only. Think pasta, eggs, fish, soft bread, smoothies (no straws hitting the gem).
02 Brush gently around the gem with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Small, circular motions. No scrubbing.
03 Avoid hot drinks above tea-warm. Thermal shock is the number one cause of early debonding.
04 Use an alcohol-free mouthwash if you use one. Alcohol softens resin bonds in the first week.

03

Day 8 to 14

01 Return to a normal diet, cautiously. Still no biting directly into apples, crusty bread, or ice.
02 Flossing resumes as normal. Around the gem, use a gentle in-and-out motion. Do not snap the floss up.
03 If you notice any lift at the edge of the gem, stop eating and contact us. Do not press on it.
04 Book your 14-day review if you haven't already. It is included in your placement fee.

04

Long-term care

01 Treat the gem like enamel. Brush twice a day, floss once, use fluoride toothpaste.
02 See your regular dentist every six months. Tell them you have a gem so they clean around it, not over it.
03 Most placements last 12 to 36 months. Yours may last longer. Natural wear is not a fault.
04 When it comes off, come back. Re-placement is a ten-minute appointment, not a full reset.

05

Six things that shorten a gem's life.

Biting fingernails, pen caps, ice, hard candy, or bone.
Thermal extremes: very hot coffee, frozen drinks, ice cubes in cocktails.
Whitening strips or whitening toothpaste for the first 4 weeks.
Electric toothbrushes on high-intensity settings directly over the gem.
Mouthguards that were fitted before your placement. They may press on the gem.
Flossing threaders yanked upward over the gem surface.

06

When to contact the studio.

If any of the following happen in the first 30 days, message us the same day. No appointment, no fuss. Most issues are a five-minute re-seat if we see them early.

01 Any visible edge-lift or movement in the first 14 days.
02 Sharp sensitivity that doesn't fade within 48 hours of placement.
03 Gum inflammation, bleeding, or redness around the placement site.
04 The gem falls off. Keep it in a small container and bring it to your re-placement appointment.
05 Any trauma to the face or mouth. Even minor impact can compromise the bond.