Yes, especially poorly fitted ones.
The dental jewelry trend cannot escape our radar at Lema Dental Clinic in Turkey. Gold grillz have transformed from just an accessory often seen on hip-hop artists to a high-fashion element representing style, wealth, and personality. We witness patients coming in and saying that they love the look, but we, as healthcare providers, must focus on the clinical aspect, which is hidden under the sparkle of the gold.
Part of the question is about style, but it is more about structural integrity.
Actually, your teeth are not the ones that were meant for wearing “clothes.” Enamel is the hardest substance not only in your body but also on the earth—but it is not anything that can be destroyed easily. It is a valuable, non-renewable resource. When it is done, your body can’t regrow it.
Our experience in the field at Lema Dental Clinic shows that there are rarely problems with the gold itself if the production uses a high-karat, biocompatible gold. In most cases, the risk is in the method of the accessory’s attachment and the user’s hygiene habits.
Misfit as an Antagonist to the Protective Layer of the Teeth
The single most, and very quickly, the dominant and significant threat that is present is the problem of friction.
You can imagine a metal grill is like a pair of gloves, which should slide over your hand without any difficulties. On the other hand, if the grill isn’t custom-made but a cheap mass-produced item mislabeled as one size fits all, the fit will be the opposite of a perfectly harmonized pair of gloves. Therefore, wearing these is like putting on shoes that are two sizes too big.
Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız repeatedly expresses the fact that teeth are not rigid; they undergo very slight molecular shifts. Besides, wear and tear resulting from friction is adequate to cause the metallic surface and tissues of the mouth to wear each other down willingly. What he probably wanted to say is that the grinding of very fine particles, or mechanical force applied repetitively over time, leads to the removal of glossy and smooth coatings, enamel surface of the tooth. As a result, dentin becomes vulnerable to pain and decay risk increases drastically.
Corrosion: Decay and Structural Deterioration Beneath the Surface
The small gap between the teeth and metal is similar to a secret refuge for bacteria.
There is a huge diversity of microbiota living in your oral cavity, and it is in a favorable condition for them to thrive as it is a warm and moist environment. A removable grill divides the saliva, food residues, bacteria, and sugars from the mouth that become stuck in the tiny crevices of dental enamel and the jewelry.
Wear that grill all the time, during meals, keeping it in for long time is even worse, the acid concentration in that place rockets up. This acid assault causes decalcification. Dentist Polen Akkılıç and her colleagues have encountered numerous cases of the trick of young people’s white spots or dark cavities by an old friend named grillz, which were removed to reveal the teeth underneath. I also got extremely upset upon witnessing fully-healthy teeth that were destroyed due to decay, which is absolutely avoidable in the first place and hides behind a very flashy exterior.
Gum Injury and Allergic Reactions to Metal
Gum injury is also caused by the sharp edges of grills, especially if they are rough or thick. Certain parts of the gums get trapped and bruised by the pressure of the grills. Over time, the gum pushes back and becomes thinner, the tooth roots become exposed.
Besides, pure gold is too soft to be used to make “gold” grillz almost always, they are alloys. When a mixture has nickel as a cheap base metal, it may lead to an allergic condition in the mouth where inflammation and swelling of the gums occur causing pain.
Comparing the Risks: Permanent vs. Removable
It is crucial to distinguish between the types of grillz available and their potential impact on oral health.
| Grill Type | Material Integrity | Enamel Damage Risk | Permanence |
| Custom-Fit Removable (High Karat Gold) | High (Biocompatible) | Moderate. Depends heavily on hygiene and hours worn per day. | Removable by patient. |
| Generic “One-Size” (Base Metals) | Low (Risk of allergy/tarnish) | High. Poor fit causes constant friction and abrasion. | Removable by patient. |
| “Permanent” Cemented Grillz | Varies. Often requires shaving existing teeth. | Severe. The underlying tooth structure is permanently altered to fit the metal caps. | Requires a dentist to remove. |
FAQ: Common Questions About Grillz and Dental Health
Absolutely not. This is a hard rule we give all our patients at Lema Dental Clinic. Eating with grillz in is the fastest way to damage your teeth. The chewing force can mash the metal onto the enamel causing fractures, and food debris will inevitably get impacted underneath, creating an immediate breeding ground for bacteria. Always take them out before a meal.
You must adopt a ‘twice the work’ mentality. You need to clean your natural teeth with exceptional thoroughness—brushing and flossing every time you remove the grill. But you also must clean the grill itself. We recommend brushing the inside of the grill with mild soap and warm water daily to remove plaque biofilm before putting it back in your mouth.
It’s a dangerous misconception that cementing gold over teeth ‘protects’ them. To place ‘permanent’ grillz, a dentist (often unethical ones operating outside standard clinical guidelines) usually has to shave down healthy tooth structure to make space for the metal. You are essentially mutilating healthy teeth for aesthetics. If that cap leaks, the tooth underneath will rot undetected until it’s too late.
Yes, we see this often here in Turkey. We treat many international patients who come to us with decalcification, chipped enamel, or gum recession from years of wearing ill-fitting dental jewelry. Depending on the severity, we might use composite bonding, porcelain veneers, or crowns to restore both the health and appearance of the damaged teeth.
The material matters less than the fit and hygiene, provided it is a noble metal. Platinum and high-quality dental silver are generally biocompatible. The main issue remains friction and bacterial trapping. However, avoid cheap ‘costume’ metals at all costs, as these corrode in the mouth and cause toxicity.
- American Dental Association (ADA). (2023). Mouth Jewelry: Grills and Piercings. Journal of the American Dental Association.
- Kapila, R., & Kashyap, R. (2018). Dental Grills: A glittering menace. International Journal of Oral Health and Medical Research, 5(1), 62-64.
- Veeraiyan, D. N. (2019). Social and clinical aspects of oral jewelry. Journal of Advanced Clinical & Research Insights, 6, 66-69.
- Pirozzi, K. P., & Chasteen, J. E. (2018). The oral health implications of dental grills. Journal of Dental Hygiene, 92(1), 6-11.
- Fowler, E. B., & Breault, L. G. (2000). Grills, bling-bling, and periodontal concerns. Journal of Periodontology, 71(10), 1653-1654.
