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Many rappers
and hip-hop artists started wearing decorative teeth
covers, called grills or grillz, several years ago.
Their grills were made of precious metals, such as gold
or silver, and often had jewels for an extra spot of
glitter. The rapper Nelly even had a number 1 hit song
called "Grillz" last year.
Many teenagers
have tried to emulate their rap heroes with less
expensive grills, made from do-it-yourself kits or
purchased from jewelers. How safe are they?
"At present
there are no studies that show that grills are harmful
to the mouth-but there are no studies that show that
their long-term wear is safe, either," says the American
Dental Association (ADA). The ADA recommends that people
talk to their dentist before getting dental grills, and
that they limit the amount of time the wear their
grills.
The ADA
recommends the following precautions for those who wear
grills:
- Don't attach
grills to teeth with cement. Cement isn't meant for
internal use and can damage teeth and tissues. Grills
should be removable.
- Avoid grills
made from non-precious metals, since they may cause
irritation or metal-allergic reactions.
- Take extra
care brushing and flossing since food may become
trapped between the grill and teeth, causing
acid-causing bacteria to collect. Acids can cause
tooth decay and harm gum tissue. It's best to remove
the grill before eating.
- Make sure
grills fit comfortably, since poor-fitting grills can
irritate surrounding oral tissues and wear away enamel
on opposing teeth.
- Grills
should be cleaned daily to remove plaque bacteria and
food debris-but not with jewelry cleaners or any
products that are dangerous to ingest.
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