Dental grills are the latest form of decorative mouth-wear to be sported by celebrities. But if you're thinking of having a grill fitted, you might want to consider the potential health risks associated with the trend. Read on to find out more.
What are grills?
Dental grills are pieces of mouth jewellery, usually made of gold and decorated with gemstones. Grills can be made as temporary, clip-on items or fitted to the teeth permanently.
Although the grills might look great, they have also been cited as the cause of mouth and dental problems.
What problems can grills cause?
The most important thing if you decide to have a grill made is that it is fabricated and fitted by a qualified, experienced dentist. If the grill doesn't fit properly, it can cause your teeth to move into a potentially unhealthy position. This can cause you to suffer from headaches and dental pain. You might even need to wear braces to help realign your teeth.
Furthermore, a grill that doesn't fit properly can damage the enamel on your teeth permanently, leading to decay and potentially tooth loss. Clip-on grills should be removed regularly so that you can clean your teeth, and your grill, thoroughly. Grills that are permanently fitted to your teeth don't allow this necessary cleaning, allowing bacteria to congregate and plaque to form, leading ultimately to tooth decay.
You are also at risk of sustaining damage to your teeth if you receive an accidental knock to your mouth whilst wearing your grill. This could lead to broken or chipped teeth beneath the grill, not to mention injury to your lips, especially if your grill contains sharp or rough gemstones.
You may also find that the bulky grill changes your jaw alignment, or bite. This may mean that you can't eat properly whilst wearing your grill and you could also develop a speech impediment.
Cheap 'off-the-peg' grills may not be made of precious metals at all, and you could even end up with some sort of poisoning through wearing one.
In conclusion
The bottom line is that, if your grill is poorly-fitted and worn for too long, you could end up needing major corrective dentistry to correct the damage it has caused.
If you decide to go ahead with having a grill made and fitted, always discuss what you want with your dentist. They will be able to measure and fit the grill correctly, ensuring that it is safe and comfortable to wear, and they will be able to advise you on aftercare and maintenance procedures.
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