Dental Grills: Jewelry for the Mouth

Healthy teeth are attractive to others and enhance your personal beauty. Your smile doesn’t really need its own jewelry. But for some, those who want to stand out from the crowd, dental grills provide a certain “look” they find appealing.

Dental grills or “fronts” are simply fancy covers for the teeth. Made of precious metals like silver or gold, at times adorned with jewels, they are completely unnecessary ornamentation for the mouth.

There is no research to say that grills are harmful to your dental health, but many dentists refuse to supply them to patients because of a concern that they may trap food and foster bacteria in the mouth. Of course, the same types of arguments made against grills could be made about dentures, and the same potential issues are at play: bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay and loss of tooth enamel.

If you plan on getting a grill, follow these tips to keep your teeth healthy:

-Don’t eat while wearing your grill.

-Use an antibacterial cleaner to sanitize your grill every day. Products made for shining jewelry should not be put in the mouth.

-Limit the time that you wear your grill. It should not be worn more than 12 hours. Give your teeth and gums some time off and take them out at night.

-Daily brushing and flossing is vitally important. Be sure to do it both before and after you wear your grill. You should be brushing at least twice a day anyway, but pay special attention to the gum line, and floss at least once daily.

If you are contemplating getting a grill, Dr. Wallace Lunden would be happy to discuss it with you. Please contact Cedar Point Dentistry at: 612-822-2176, or come by our office in Minneapolis, Minnesota.