China Tooth Tattoos: The Viral Trend Explained

• In China, some people have crowns tattooed on their teeth.
• A recent fashion, which is not unanimous among dentists.
• In France, dental jewelry is more fashionable.

It’s a new fashion that’s hitting the streets and social media in China. On the Douyin and Xiaohongshu applications (also called “Redness“), many young Chinese people show off their teeth tattoos. On their tails, words, letters or small patterns, such as a partner’s initials or a lucky number. No needle tattoos on teeth, however, reassures the American magazine Vice (new window): These tattoos are actually done on crowns, which can be placed on natural teeth and changed regularly.

According to the magazine, this trend started with a few paid options for patients who needed to have crowns fitted, before becoming widespread. Now, several dental offices (new window)offer to customize crowns for free, reports the Shangyou Newscited by the South China Morning Post (new window). The newspaper cites an advertisement for a large private hospital in Guangdong, southern China (new window): “Our 3D printed dental crowns (…) not only allow you to repair your damaged tooth, but also to personalize each crown with engraved words or patterns. They are tailor-made for you.”

242 euros per crown

If this option is recent (it has only been available since the beginning of 2025 in the hospital cited by the South China Morning Post), she has already managed to conquer a part of Chinese youth. On Chinese social media, several people are posting their customized dental crowns, and the trend is slowly appearing on TikTok. A new fashion that “fits perfectly into the general cycle of the body modification trend”estimates the magazine Vicewhich specifies that after piercings, tattoos and implants, which no longer shock, it is the turn of tooth tattoos to make their debut.

In China, installing a crown costs 2,000 yuan, or around 242 euros. If tooth tattoo technology begins to improve and does not affect oral comfort, according to the South China Morning Posta dentist explains that he does not recommend customizing crowns to his patients: “The crown will be more or less damaged. Its solidity will be compromised.”

In France, tooth jewelry more popular

If tooth tattooing is of some interest in China, in France, it is rather dental jewelry that is in the spotlight, just like in the United States. Proudly worn by celebrities like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Pharrell Williams, some dental jewelry can easily be put on and taken off. Others are bonded to the tooth using resin and UV rays, as can be the case in orthodontics. A process frowned upon by some dentists, who are concerned about the dental health of clients.