The effects of clay pipes on the teeth are pretty extreme. Is acrylic too hard for teeth? Also, will tooth marks act as an abrasive and wear at teeth similar to clay?
Are Acrylic Stems Bad For Teeth?
- Thread starter Chocolatebars
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Nope, at least not in the last 10-15yrs that I've noticed. Coffee does a much worse number in my opinion. Not that I'm going to quit drinking it 
I think that acrylic and clays are worlds apart. Clay is naturally an abrasive, where as acrylic isn’t.
Not all acrylic is equal. Some is "soft" and has some give, some is hard as a rock.
Clay can sharpen steel knives, fairly easily. I've done it. It abrades at a microscopic level. I would never bite into clay. My teeth hurt just thinking about it.
This.
Clay can sharpen steel knives, fairly easily. I've done it. It abrades at a microscopic level. I would never bite into clay. My teeth hurt just thinking about it.
If it doesn't kill you.. It will come back to try again.. So.. What was I saying? Oh! Vulcanite is your answer.
Now my teeth aren’t da best, but I’ve clenched acrylic stems and haven’t had any issues to speak of yet. 
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Why would they? How would they unless you your are using them as a "rasp" to "float" your teeth.
Thanks for the new look
The acrylic stems do tend to make my teeth hurt. This is just an old person's thing. You'll get there. Fabric and even water sometimes hurts on the skin somewhat. I do find vulcanite to be easier on my teeth, but the acrylic isn't going to physically hurt my teeth. It is just a sensation, like chewing aluminum foil or a reaction to nails on a chalkboard... not a fear of damage being done.
I have gotten a little more used to acrylic stems, but if I had the choice when ordering a pipe, I would chose vulcanite every time. But, I really do love the way the colorful acrylic stems look.
But, the idea of wearing a hole in my teeth with an abrasive clay stem... uggggg...
I have gotten a little more used to acrylic stems, but if I had the choice when ordering a pipe, I would chose vulcanite every time. But, I really do love the way the colorful acrylic stems look.
But, the idea of wearing a hole in my teeth with an abrasive clay stem... uggggg...
If you like clays, there is a line of them that are made with acrylic and vulcanite stems. That way you get the beauty of a clay, and you can still clench it. I have one, and I love it! There is also a line with horn stems. I have two of those, and they are also great.
Are acrylic stems bad for teeth? I hope not as they dominate my collection. All else being equal I prefer acrylic to ebonite, the latter has a slightly better mouthfeel but I'm too lazy to deal with maintaining ebonite stems.
Seeing I work in the dental field as a implant and full mouth reconstruction specialist, natural wear and tear always grinds down your teeth with age. Clinchers and grinders wear their teeth down and break them. Resting a acrylic stem on your teeth will not hurt them. Chewing ice will crack your teeth and chewing on a stem could do the same but, then you’re just destroying your pipe.
I was literally going to comment on my one tooth that's sharp enough to gouge acrylic. I noticed when I felt a small thing stuck on the stem. It was part of the stem gouged by my left canine. So basically the reverse premise of this thread.