Ancient Egyptians had some. So did wealthy, status-conscious Italians in the mid-1800s. It became a status symbol for rappers in the eighties and nineties – and it looks like 2017 will be the year Kendal Jenner makes it go mainstream.
We’re talking about gold teeth and fillings course – or as they’re commonly referred to, ‘grills’. With mainstream celebrities being spotted out and about with gold teeth/fillings, you might be tempted to get in on the trend yourself. But before you do, make sure you have all the facts.
Before you can understand if grills are for you, you need to know what purpose they play in oral health – if any. Gold teeth fillings as you imagine them are rarely used in modern dentistry anymore. Not only is gold expensive, but composite resin fillings (or other similar substances) have been found to be more durable, natural looking and easy to work with. This is why you’re more likely to see gold fillings in the older generations – some of whom even opt to switch theirs out as they age!
The second thing you need to realise is that you can indeed wear, so enjoy grills if you want to – but it’s not recommended. There has been no hard evidence that wearing a grill can damage your teeth, but most dental professionals would advise you steer clear anyway. It’s important to note that it’s only safe to wear gold teeth if you wear them as recommended and get a reputable manufacturer to assist you with fitting yours. Otherwise, you could experience teeth enamel erosion, plaque build-up, tooth decay, gum disease or worse.
The American Society for Dental Aesthetics recommends that you never sleep in a grill and only wear it for about 4 hours at a time. It’s also recommended that you have one created using a dental mould so that it conforms to the unique contours of your teeth and mouth.
Getting a real grill made and fitted will most likely take time and money and can be pretty uncomfortable. With so many fake grill products on the market, buying an imitation that you can pop on and off is a much more affordable and an easier way to remain on trend – while the trend lasts!
