Can Cosplay Replicate Nothing But Blackened Teeth Safely?

From a health perspective, painting only the teeth in the mouth means that we are applying chemicals inside the mouth. Therefore, we must seek out the healthiest products for oral contact, like theatrical makeup paints and dental enamels that are made for short-term use on enamel surfaces and are easily removed with brushing. Many household paints and cosmetics, as well as many markers are not healthy for oral contact and should be avoided. Also, be aware of contact time, ingestion, and possible allergies and sensitivities to products on gum tissues.

If longevity or accuracy are important to you, consider creating a dental prosthetic for your character. Options for temporary use include snap on veneers, boilable dental casts with custom teeth painted on, or even a temporary coating applied by a dentist. For a low-cost solution, paint a food-grade pigment onto the outside of a clean boil-and-bite tray and then seal it. I would spend a little more time to set up a solution to use that will get the desired look and then be easily removable and cleaned afterwards to avoid any further dental problems with the actor. A good, creepy smile can be achieved with a removable solution.

My cosplay roommate and I (who were egregious late-night cohabitants in a hotel room somewhere between panels at a con) practiced up short-term black teeth for cosplay purposes and found that there are many temporary options available, and that some methods are decidedly better than others. “Theatrical tooth paint” or “tooth enamel” (in paint form) that you brush onto your teeth is probably the cheapest way to go for a short-term fix and will not dissolve tooth enamel. It is designed to wash off of your teeth. Removable mouthpieces made of thin acrylic (to fit over individual teeth or a section of teeth) are also a good solution for temporary cosplay purposes and are typically reusable, do not come into contact with your gums, and are generally considered safe for longer use.

Yes, many things that are painted on teeth will ruin them. Tooth enamel is VERY hard, but many paint products contain solvents to help them dissolve and penetrate well. That means they could definitely damage your teeth. Never use nail polish, permanent markers or abrasive scrubs (like activated charcoal) on your teeth! Instead, test any product on a small patch of skin first for any signs of an allergic reaction. Take care to avoid ingesting any tooth product and be sure to remove all products at night. And if you use an appliance with a matte finish (safe for oral use, of course), apply a tiny bit to keep glare to a minimum for photos. It’s a fun and non-damaging way to create a weird, creepy or styled tooth for your cosplay.

You can totally make blackened teeth for cosplay and have them be safe to wear. I wouldn’t use anything meant for crafts or for your nails (like Sharpies, acrylic paint, or nail polish) because you don’t know what kind of toxic ingredients are in them. Instead, look for theatrical tooth enamel or tooth-safe paint designed to be used for Halloween cosplaying or theater. I’ve found that the best kind of tooth enamel to use is one that can be washed off with brushing, and is non-toxic and non-absorbent, so even if you accidentally swallow some while you’re putting it on, it won’t hurt you or eat away at your teeth.

I actually have a few different characters that I’ve done blackened teeth for, and one of the methods that is easiest and cleanest for a costume is using custom dental appliances that only cover the teeth you wish to blacken. These can be made by a dental lab or a prosthetics maker and can be made as thin as you need them to be. You can paint them with any food safe or dental grade pigments that you need to get the color just right. I then have my actors slip them in and out of their mouths for con, and they can be removed and cleaned and stored for later use. Just be sure to brush, floss and remove any residue from the appliance after use. Test any products on a single tooth first, and don’t leave them in over night. But other than that, they’re really drama free and can get a really dramatic look for your actor.