Can Grills Cause Poor Oral Health?
How grills may affect your gums and teeth.
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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)
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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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