What are the risks of wearing dental grills?
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American Dental Association answered:Wearers of dental grills (decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more teeth) should be especially careful about brushing and flossing to prevent potential problems. Food and other debris may become trapped between the teeth and the grill allowing bacteria to collect and produce acids. The acids can cause tooth decay and harm gum tissue. Bacteria may also contribute to bad breath. There also is the potential for grills to irritate surrounding oral tissues and to wear the enamel away on the opposing teeth.Wearers of dental grills (decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more teeth) should be especially careful about brushing and flossing to prevent potential problems. Food and... More -
Dr. Nancy Jacobson answered:In addition to the risk of tooth decay, dental grills can also cause problems with your bite and your jaw joints.
Because grills are made to fit over your teeth, they prevent you from being able to close your teeth together, or to "bite down". Your jaw is accustomed to being in a specific position. When you wear the grill you change the position of your jaw. Your jaw muscles "want" to close down. The grill position will prevent them from closing, creating tension in the muscles of the jaw. This tension can lead to problems with the jaw joint (TMJ) including pain and headaches.
If you wear a grill on your front teeth, then your back teeth will not close together or touch. Teeth "like" to be in contact. If you wear the grill for an extended period of time, the back teeth may erupt (grow up) to try and touch. If they do, it will alter your bite when you are not wearing the grill. This may require braces to correct your bite.
In addition to the risk of tooth decay, dental grills can also cause problems with your bite and your jaw joints. Because grills are made to fit over your teeth, they prevent you from being able to close your teeth together, or to "bite down". Your... More
