The Trouble with “Grills”

Popularized by hip-hop culture, dental “grills” are removable fixtures that fit over the front of your teeth. They are often made out of precious metals and adorned with diamond inlays, serving as an extravagant fashion statement. As these items are removable, many make the mistake of thinking that they are a harmless accessory for their mouths. However, such people are very much mistaken.

When you wear a grill, bacteria can thrive in the space between the metal and your teeth. This encourages decay. Meanwhile, the metal serves to irritate your gums, causing them to retreat from your tooth structure. In the case of the cheaper models that are not made from precious metals, nickel impurities can also cause allergic reactions in many people.

Should you experience any swelling, redness, or pain after wearing a grill, bring your grill to our Lynnwood dentistry clinic so that we can properly assess your problem. Further, try to limit the amount of time you wear your grill, as you problem will get worse with longer exposure.