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Dental grills, also known as “grillz” or “fronts,” are teeth covers made for cosmetic purposes. These are usually made of silver, gold, platinum, or jewel-encrusted decorative metals that snap over one or more teeth. These are made popular by celebrities, especially rap musicians which have become a current trend in teens. They have been around since the 1980s but have taken off in popularity in the present. Generally, dental grills are removable but some grill wearers have had their teeth altered to resemble grills permanently. Some even tried to attach grills with glue, which can be harmful to the teeth and tissues.
There are not enough studies that prove grills may be dangerous but it is not proven to be safe either. Some materials in the grills such as low-quality base metals may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Wearing a grill requires extra oral care to prevent potential problems. Food and plaque may be trapped between teeth and grills allowing bacteria to accumulate and cause tooth decay and bad breath. The grills may also pose a threat to surrounding teeth and wear the enamel away on the opposing teeth.
Removing grills before eating, limiting the amount of time wearing it, and avoiding harmful jewelry cleaners for grills are some of the best ways to prevent oral problems. Make sure to get your grills done by a dental professional with high-quality materials made to avoid creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Grills might be trendy for a moment, but “pearly whites” will never go out of style.
Potential Risks Of Grills
The more expensive materials the grills have, the lesser risks it poses. Inexpensive versions made of base or non-precious metals may cause allergic reactions. Some manufacturers of grills may use unsafe metals which could lead to blood poisoning.
✔ Hard To Keep Teeth Clean
Grills can hinder toothbrush bristles to reach the spaces in between your teeth – thus making it harder to keep your teeth clean. Leaving food particles between your teeth can wear out the enamel and lead to cavities.
✔ Gum Disease
The accumulated bacteria from food debris can cause gum irritation. In response to the irritation, your immune system reacts through inflammation of the gums. Long term, the inflammation may spread and can destroy your gums, the support structure of your teeth, and even your jawbone.
✔ Bad Breath
As the bacteria propagate, you may develop halitosis or commonly known as bad breath. The bacteria is a sulfur compound that produces a foul odor. Using a mint or candy to freshen your breath will only produce more bacteria because of its sugar content.
✔ Wear Down The Teeth Next To It
Constant contact or friction between the neighboring teeth and your grills made of metal may lead to wearing down of the neighboring teeth.
The grill may cause abrasion, chipping, and discoloration of the teeth that surround it.
Tips To Reduce Problems With Grills
Wearing a grill for too long enables the bacteria to build up on your teeth. You should only wear it for a moderate amount of time and always make sure they are clean before putting them on. Here are some tips to reduce the risks of wearing grills.
- Remove the grills before you eat to prevent food and bacteria from being trapped in the crevices of the grills.
- Clean your grills thoroughly every time you wear it. Do not use any toxic jewelry cleaner to avoid ingestion.
- Do not buy low-quality grills. Less expensive grills may contain nickel or other harmful metals that can cause an allergic reaction. Make sure to test the grills briefly for any allergic reactions.
- Let the professionals do your grills. Do not permanently attach them to your teeth yourself. This is a very bad idea. The wrong fitting can cause damage to your teeth and gums.
Pay Attention To Your Oral Hygiene
Anyone who wears a dental grill should be extra careful about dental hygiene. Make sure to be consistent with your oral hygiene routine of brushing your teeth twice each day, daily flossing, and regular cleaning of grills. Getting a proper fit for dental grills is very vital. Grills do less damage to your teeth when they are customized especially for you and if they are done by professionals.
A dental professional should make a dental grill by taking a proper impression of the teeth. Do not just settle on a jeweler or a grill vendor. A non-licensed dental professional could cause worse dental and oral health problems.
