How To Take Care Of Your Grillz
Gold, silver and diamond mouthpieces are nothing new — we can trace their roots back thousands of years, as we cover in our history of grillz. Today, fitted dental castings, better known as grillz, are worn as a source of flash and style in cultures well beyond the United States.
Most grillz sellers offer gold, rose gold, silver, platinum and diamond options across a range of karats. Plenty of sites sell 10-karat gold grillz; some go up to 18 karat. Ten-karat gold contains more alloy metal than higher karats, which makes it hard-wearing but also more prone to tarnishing — so cleaning is an especially important part of owning a set.
Start with these essentials:
- Soft-bristled toothbrush
- Alcohol-free mouthwash
- Soft, non-abrasive cloth
- Non-abrasive toothpaste or jewelry cleaner
- Warm (not hot) water
Treat grillz like an extension of your own teeth — they just need a little extra care. Take your grillz out, rinse them under warm water, then soak them in a glass of alcohol-free mouthwash for around 10 to 15 minutes. A short soak lifts residue without the prolonged alcohol exposure that can dull a finish or work at the setting on stone-set pieces. Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste or cleaner, rinse once more in warm water, then dry fully with a soft cloth before storing.
A few things to avoid: don't use bleach, don't use ultrasonic cleaners on stone-set pieces, don't scrub with anything abrasive, and never eat while wearing your grillz. Clean your teeth and your grillz separately, and always brush your teeth before putting them back in.
Keep in mind that a higher karat of gold is more resistant to tarnishing, though softer and easier to scratch. You get what you pay for, so keep that in mind while shopping for custom grillz.
Want the long version? We put together a complete guide to cleaning grillz, and you can also read up on whether grillz are safe.