Can Grills Cause Poor Oral Health?

How grills may affect your gums and teeth.

Lil’ Wayne after pulling his artists from the famed concert line-up:  - "Young Money ain't doing Summer Jam." (Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity)

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Fashion Faux Pas? - Depending on how you spell it, “grills” or “grillz” seem to be the It accessory for celebs both Black and white. Just ask Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Madonna and even Katy Perry. And while they may be pretty, especially the sparkly ones, the question remains: How safe are they for your teeth? Read about grills, and how they may affect your oral health.—Kellee Terrell(Photo: Reuters)

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What Are Grills? - Originating in the ‘80s and worn by hip hop artists the world over, grills are usually removable cosmetic teeth covers that can be made out of metals such as gold and silver. Some are even decorated in jewels such as diamonds. There are grills for every budget ranging from $20 to thousands of dollars. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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The Cons of Grills - Yes, grills can look cool, but there are some oral health cons to going with the trend. Plaque — bacteria that forms at the base of and between the teeth — forms more easily when wearing grills especially when you are eating food. In addition to tooth decay, you also have to worry about chipped teeth, gum recession and teeth abrasion. (Photo: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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Gingivitis and Grills - Another issue that grills can cause is gingivitis. Gingivitis causes redness, irritation and inflammation of your gums. It’s usually mild and you may not even notice it in its early stages, but you have to take it seriously: Gingivitis can lead to more serious issues such as periodontitis and even tooth loss. (Photo: Biophoto Associates/Getty Images)

Tooth Discoloration - Wearing grills for the long term can cause your teeth to turn yellow because of the metals and the jewels. People who wear grills might want to opt for teeth whitening to maintain a white smile. (Photo: Miami Herald/MCT/Landov)

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Tooth Discoloration - Wearing grills for the long term can cause your teeth to turn yellow because of the metals and the jewels. People who wear grills might want to opt for teeth whitening to maintain a white smile. (Photo: Miami Herald/MCT/Landov)

Photo By Photo: Miami Herald/MCT/Landov

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Preventing Problems  - With or without grills maintaining on-point oral health is really important. Brush your teeth with an anti-bacterial toothpaste twice a day and make sure to floss.Always take your grill out before eating and rinse your mouth thoroughly afterwards before putting your grill back in. And finally, limit the amount of time you wear your grill. (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images for Crest)

Clean That Grill! - A clean mouth is important, but so is a clean grill. Rinse and cleanse it every day to reduce the amount of bacteria that forms on them. FYI: Don't use a harsh cleanser because it may not only ruin the grill, but harm your mouth when you put them back in. Learn more about washing your grill properly at ehow.com.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Clean That Grill! - A clean mouth is important, but so is a clean grill. Rinse and cleanse it every day to reduce the amount of bacteria that forms on them. FYI: Don't use a harsh cleanser because it may not only ruin the grill, but harm your mouth when you put them back in. Learn more about washing your grill properly at ehow.com.(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Where You Should Get One - While some go to a jeweler to get a grill, Colgate suggests that you if you want to rock a grill comfortably, it’s best for that you go to a dentist who can make a proper impression of your mouth and teeth to ensure the best fit. Grills that don’t fit right can put you at risk for even more oral health issues. (Photo: REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate)

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Where You Should Get One - While some go to a jeweler to get a grill, Colgate suggests that you if you want to rock a grill comfortably, it’s best for that you go to a dentist who can make a proper impression of your mouth and teeth to ensure the best fit. Grills that don’t fit right can put you at risk for even more oral health issues. (Photo: REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate)

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Grill Advice - Before you decide to lay out the cash, make sure you speak with a dentist about your risks for gum disease and tips on how to maintain a healthy mouth while wearing your grill. It's always a good idea to get a proper cleaning and check up before getting a grill to reduce your risk of complications. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)