You don’t brush your teeth while wearing grills. The key to keeping both your teeth and your grills in good shape is removing the grill first, cleaning your teeth thoroughly, cleaning the grill separately, and then putting it back in. Trying to brush around a grill while it’s still in your mouth traps food and bacteria underneath, which is exactly what causes problems.
Remove the Grill Before You Brush
Food, debris, and bacteria get tightly packed between your teeth and the grill surface. That buildup leads to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. No amount of brushing over the top of a grill will reach what’s trapped underneath it, so removal is step one every time.
Once the grill is out, brush your teeth the way you normally would: soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, two minutes. Pay extra attention to the teeth that sit under the grill, since those surfaces spend the most time covered and are most vulnerable to plaque buildup. Floss or use interdental brushes between those teeth before you put the grill back in. This matters more than it does for non-grill wearers because anything left between your teeth gets sealed against the enamel once the grill goes back on.
How to Clean the Grill Itself
Your grill needs its own cleaning routine, separate from your teeth. Use a dedicated soft-bristled toothbrush (not the same one you use on your teeth) and gently scrub the grill under warm water to remove bacteria and food particles. Do this daily at minimum, and ideally every time you take the grill out.
For a deeper clean, soak the grill in hydrogen peroxide for three to five minutes, then pat it dry with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. You can also use a non-toxic gold cleaner periodically to maintain the shine, but follow the product’s instructions carefully. The important rule here: avoid jewelry cleaners or any chemical product that would be dangerous to swallow. Whatever residue is left on the grill goes straight into your mouth, so only use substances that are safe if ingested.
When to Take Your Grill Out
Beyond brushing, you should remove your grill before eating. Food gets ground into the space between the grill and your teeth during meals, accelerating decay. The American Dental Association recommends limiting the total amount of time you wear removable grills each day. There’s no published maximum hour count, but the general principle is straightforward: the less time your teeth spend sealed under metal, the healthier they’ll stay. Treat grills more like an accessory you put on when you’re going out, not something you wear around the clock.
Signs Your Grill Hygiene Needs Work
If you’re not cleaning well enough, your mouth will let you know. Red, swollen, or tender gums around the teeth that sit under the grill are early warning signs of gum disease. Bleeding when you brush those areas, persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away after brushing, or teeth that feel sensitive or loose are all signals that bacteria have been building up. Pain while chewing is another red flag. Gums that appear to be pulling away from your teeth, making them look longer than before, indicate the problem has progressed further.
These issues aren’t caused by the grill material itself in most cases. They’re caused by inadequate cleaning that lets plaque accumulate in a warm, sealed environment. Consistent removal, brushing, flossing, and grill cleaning prevents the vast majority of these problems.
A Quick Daily Routine
- Remove the grill and rinse it under warm water.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, focusing on the surfaces that were covered.
- Floss or use interdental brushes between the teeth that sit under the grill.
- Scrub the grill with a separate soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Soak periodically in hydrogen peroxide for three to five minutes for a deeper clean.
- Dry the grill with a soft cloth before putting it back in.
If you’re considering getting a grill and haven’t yet, talk to your dentist about the materials it’s made from. Some metals and alloys are more likely to irritate gum tissue or cause allergic reactions. A well-fitted, high-quality grill paired with consistent cleaning habits gives you the best chance of avoiding problems long-term.