Listen… grills can be fun, expressive, and absolutely beautiful. They’re a form of self-expression and artistry, and when worn safely and properly, they can elevate your entire look. But the one thing they are not, and never will be, is permanent. I know social media sometimes glamorizes wearing grills nonstop or treating them as if they’re fused to your teeth, but that’s not how oral health works. Your teeth and gums are living tissues, and anything you place over them for extended periods alters the entire environment of your mouth.
Here’s the truth: if you want to enjoy grills, you must remove them regularly. Every day. Ideally, multiple times a day. Because the moment you snap them on and seal off your teeth from airflow and saliva, bacteria begin to multiply in ways you may not realize. Food particles get trapped. Plaque accumulates. Moisture builds up. And underneath all that sparkle and shine, your natural teeth may slowly be breaking down without you even noticing.
When grills stay on too long, especially weeks or months at a time, the risks escalate quickly. I’ve seen severe decay that formed beneath grills because the wearer wasn’t brushing or flossing while they were on. I’ve seen gum infections that started as irritation but developed into abscesses. I’ve seen enamel so demineralized that the only treatment left was a root canal or extraction. And perhaps the hardest part is that the damage often happens silently. You don’t usually feel the pain until the infection has already progressed.
Your enamel doesn’t regenerate. Once decay forms under a grill that’s been left on too long, you can’t just paint over it, scrape it off, or hope it disappears. The cavity keeps growing. That’s why removing grills and cleaning your teeth thoroughly, brushing, flossing, and rinsing, is essential.
And this is especially important to say: grills should never replace actual dental care. They’re an accessory, not a dental treatment. If your grills smell, feel tight, burn, or cause bleeding when you remove them, that is your body screaming for help. Your mouth is telling you that something isn’t right.
Now, if what you’re really looking for is a more permanent or long-lasting aesthetic look, something you don’t have to keep taking off and cleaning constantly, there are healthier and safer options through a trained cosmetic dentist. For example, properly bonded tooth gems placed by a professional (like me!) can give you sparkle in a way that still allows for proper hygiene. We apply them in a clean, controlled environment, using materials that are safe for enamel. They’re bonded in a way that allows you to brush, floss, and maintain your smile. They don’t trap bacteria the way grills can because they don’t cover the entire tooth surface.
And let me emphasize this: tooth gems placed correctly do not drill into the tooth, weaken the enamel, or cause damage. They’re completely reversible. That’s what makes them such a great option when someone wants a little flair without long-term risk.
But whatever you do, please don’t try to DIY your teeth, especially painting them or using whitening products meant for crafts, nails, or art projects. I know social media makes DIY look harmless and aesthetic, but it’s extremely dangerous. When someone paints their teeth to make them look white, what they’re really doing is covering up potential decay. Paint doesn’t disinfect. It doesn’t clean. It doesn’t kill bacteria. It simply masks damage while the real problem underneath grows worse.
DIY paint can also seep into tiny cracks and crevices in the enamel, trapping even more bacteria and accelerating decay. I’ve seen situations where people thought they were “fixing” their smile with at-home paint, only to discover months later that the tooth underneath had rotted all the way to the nerve. That’s how you end up needing a root canal or losing the tooth entirely.
Your smile is not just cosmetic. It’s part of your body. Your teeth, gums, tongue, and bone are all connected to your overall health. An untreated infection in the mouth can spread to other areas of the body. Chronic gum inflammation has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. Dental infections can even become life-threatening if not treated. This isn’t something to play around with or experiment on.
Taking care of your teeth is not about judgment or perfection; it’s about respect. Respecting your body. Respecting your health. Respecting the value of having strong, functional teeth that allow you to eat, smile, and live without pain.
If you love grills, enjoy them! Just wear them responsibly. Take them off. Clean them. Clean your teeth. Get regular checkups with a dentist who understands your style and doesn’t shame you for expressing yourself. And if you want something safe, semi-permanent, and aesthetic, talk to a professional about options like properly bonded tooth gems, cosmetic bonding, whitening, or even veneers, depending on your goals.
At the end of the day, your smile deserves care. It deserves attention. And it deserves to be treated with the same love you put into every other part of your life and personal style. Grills can be fabulous, but your real teeth are priceless. Taking care of them is the best investment you can make.