You may have seen grills (also spelled grillz) on rappers, models, actors, and artists all over the world. While grills may be fun temporarily, they can also cause dental issues in the long term.
What Are Grills?
While it might seem that grills are new and modern, the history of dental jewelry goes back centuries. Tooth modification with metal inlays is at least 4000 years old, and metal dental jewelry has been found in Etruscan graves over 1000 years old.
Grills are usually made of metal, such as gold, silver, or platinum, and they usually fit over the top teeth of your mouth. Some grills are decorative metal, while other grills are inlaid with precious gems, such as diamonds. Grills have been a part of the rap and hip-hop scene since the 1980s. Grills can be quite expensive. Some grills are priced at thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars!
The Hazards of Wearing Grills
While grills may be a fashion statement, dental research indicates they may be hazardous to your teeth and gums. If you are wearing a grill for a few hours as decoration and then removing it, you should not experience long-term damage. However, people who wear grills long-term have experienced some issues.
Long-term use of grills can lead to cavities and periodontal disease. Grills can trap food particles in your teeth, and if you do not remove them, the bacteria can cause cavities. You may not notice the plaque around your teeth until you remove the grill, and that means you may have a cavity or two once you remove the grill. Long-term grill use can also lead to a loss of tooth enamel, which leads to tooth decay.
Other dental research notes that grill use can lead to gum infections, infected teeth, cuts in the gums, and bad breath. If you are going to use grills, be sure to brush your teeth before you put them on and when you remove them.
Not sure whether dental jewelry is right for you, or do you have questions about your teeth after you wore a grill? Reach out to our dental office today to set up an appointment.
About Us | Sola Smile Co. | Austin, TX Sola Smile Co. is led by Dr. Thomas Gent & Dr. Audrey Su, both skilled cosmetic and general dentists. We're also committed to creating a healthy environment for both patients and employees. Sola Smile Co. - Dr. Thomas Gent, 8701 Menchaca Road Building 3, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78748 : 512-615-9405 : solasmileaustin.com : 9/7/2024 : Related Terms: dentist Austin TX :
You may have seen grills (also spelled grillz) on rappers, models, actors, and artists all over the world. While grills may be fun temporarily, they can also cause dental issues in the long term.