Wear, Care & Safety

Last updated: October 3, 2026

Grillz are removable cosmetic jewelry that you wear over your teeth. Wearing them is not dental treatment. They don't fix, protect or replace teeth. We're jewelers, not dentists.

Please read this page before you order and before you wear your grillz. It covers our custom grillz, premade grillz and mold kits.

The quick version

Grillz and mold kits are made for adults 18 and older.
Talk to your dentist before you get grillz, especially if you have dental problems or dental work.
Take them out to eat, drink anything but water, smoke, sleep or play sports.
Wear them for short periods and clean them every day. Grillz can wear down the teeth they bite against.
Stop wearing them if you feel pain or irritation, and see a dentist.
Have a metal allergy? Ask us what your piece is made of before you order.
Small parts can be a choking hazard. Keep grillz and mold kits away from children and pets.

Before you order

Grillz are for adults

Grillz and mold kits are made for adults 18 and older. They are not for children.

Check with your dentist first

Talk to your dentist before you get grillz. It's especially important if you have any of these:

cavities, tooth pain or sensitive teeth
gum disease, or gums that bleed or are pulling back
loose teeth
braces or other orthodontic work
crowns, bridges, implants or veneers
missing teeth or gaps
recent dental work

Keep up your regular dental check-ups, and tell your dentist that you wear grillz.

Missing a tooth?

If your molds show a missing tooth where your grill sits, your piece includes a cosmetic filler for that spot. It costs $25 per missing tooth, and we confirm the count and the total with you before production starts. A filler is decoration only. It does not replace a tooth, restore chewing or protect your gums. Ask your dentist before you wear grillz over a gap where a tooth is missing.

Metal allergies

If you have a metal allergy, ask us what alloy your piece is made of before ordering. Plated pieces, some white-gold pieces and NPG grillz can contain nickel. We can't promise that any piece is free of nickel. See "Metals, plating and allergies" below.

How to wear your grillz

Take them out before you

eat
drink anything other than water
smoke or vape
go to sleep (never wear grillz overnight)
play sports, or do anything where you could get hit in the mouth
swim in a pool or hot tub

Keep wear time short

Food and bacteria can get trapped under grillz. Over time, this can lead to cavities, gum irritation and bad breath.
Grillz can wear down the teeth they bite against.
There's no research showing that wearing grillz for long periods is harmless to your teeth and gums. Wear them for short periods, and give your mouth time without them every day.

Keep your mouth clean

Brush and floss your teeth before you put your grillz back in.
Grillz are personal. Don't share them.

Fit and comfort

If your grillz feel loose, too tight or sharp, or they rub your gums, stop wearing them and contact us. Adjustments are made in our lab, usually from a new set of molds. We'll send you a mold kit and a prepaid label if you need them. We don't fit or adjust grillz in person.
Don't bend, file or reshape custom grillz yourself.
Don't use denture adhesive, glue or any other product to hold grillz in place unless your dentist tells you to.

Stop wearing your grillz and see a dentist if you notice

pain or soreness
swelling, bleeding or sore gums
a rash, itching or burning in or around your mouth
teeth that feel sensitive or loose
a change in how your teeth come together when you bite
gums pulling back from your teeth

If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or you swallow or breathe in a piece, get medical help right away. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Cleaning and care

Every day

Rinse your grillz with lukewarm water after each wear.
Brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and a little mild soap.
Rinse well so no soap is left.
Dry them completely.
Store them in a clean, dry case or container, away from children and pets.

Avoid

Toothpaste, baking soda, bleach, jewelry dips and other harsh chemicals. They can scratch or damage the metal, and residue can end up in your mouth.
Boiling water and high heat.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaners on plated pieces or on pieces with stones, opal, enamel or paint. They can loosen stones and damage plating and finishes.

Check your grillz often

Look for loose stones, chips, cracks or sharp edges. If you find one, stop wearing the piece and contact us. A loose stone can come out in your mouth.
Solid gold holds its color well, though lower karats can dull a little over time. Sterling silver can darken over time. Gentle cleaning and a soft cloth can help bring back the shine.
Plating wears with use and doesn't last forever. That includes any plating on white gold (such as rhodium), on sterling silver and on two-tone designs. Enamel and painted finishes can chip or wear.

Metals, plating and allergies

Solid gold (10K, 14K or 18K, in yellow, white or rose): gold mixed with other metals for strength and color. White gold is gold mixed with white metals, carries a rhodium finish, and some white gold contains nickel.
Solid sterling silver (.925): 92.5% silver. The rest is other metals, often copper.
Plated or coated pieces: a thin gold-, rose- or white-tone layer over a different base metal, such as brass, stainless steel, sterling silver or NPG. Some two-tone and silver designs are gold-plated, and our earlier premade sets are plated. Plating wears with use. As it wears, the base metal underneath can touch your teeth and gums.
NPG grillz: made from NPG, a non-precious dental alloy, with 18K gold plating. NPG contains about 4% nickel. The plating wears with use, often within months. NPG is not a good choice if you're allergic to nickel.

If you have a metal allergy, ask us what alloy your piece is made of before ordering. Plated pieces, some white-gold pieces and NPG grillz can contain nickel. We can't promise that any piece is free of nickel, and other metals can cause reactions too. If you notice pain, irritation, swelling, a rash, itching or burning, stop wearing the piece and see a dentist or doctor.

To learn more about our metals and stones, see Materials.

Premade grillz: fitting tips

Premade grillz come with a fitting bar that you soften in hot (not boiling) water until it turns clear. Follow the instructions that come with them.
Before the grill goes in your mouth, let it cool for a few seconds, then touch the fitting bar and the metal. They should feel warm, not hot, to avoid burns. Never put anything straight from boiling water into your mouth.
Adjust the prongs gently so nothing pokes or rubs your gums. Bend them inward only, because bending them outward can break them.
If a prong breaks or feels sharp, or you can't get a comfortable fit, don't wear the grill, and contact us.
Fitting bars are small. Keep spares away from children and pets.

Mold kit safety

For sizing custom jewelry. We are not dentists. Our mold kit is only for making molds of your teeth so we can size your custom grillz. You can have a dentist take the impression instead.

Mail your molds only to the address on the prepaid label we give you.

Before you start

For adults 18 and older only.
Read all the steps before you begin.
Don't use the kit if you have braces, loose teeth, bridges or implants, loose or temporary crowns or fillings, recent dental work, or sores in your mouth. Ask your dentist first if you're not sure.
Don't use the kit if you've ever had an allergic reaction to molding putty or similar materials.

While you use it

Don't swallow the putty.
Don't leave the tray in your mouth longer than the instructions say.
If you gag, feel sick or can't breathe comfortably, take the tray out right away.
If you feel burning, itching or swelling, take the tray out and rinse your mouth with water.
If the tray gets stuck, or putty stays behind on your teeth or gums, don't force it. Get help from a dentist.

After

Rinse your mouth with water.
Keep putty, trays and packaging away from children and pets.

Keep away from children and pets

Grillz, single caps, fitting bars, loose stones and mold-kit parts are small and can be a choking hazard.
Store them where children and pets can't reach them.
If a piece or a stone comes loose in your mouth, take it out. Don't swallow it.

Questions?

We're happy to help before or after you order. We sell only online, so we don't offer walk-ins, pickups, in-person fittings or in-person impressions.

Email: support@customgoldgrillz.com
Phone: (415) 413-4915, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Pacific time
Mail: First Vibes LLC (doing business as Custom Gold Grillz), P.O. Box 1082, Martinez, CA 94553. Please don't mail molds or returns here. Send them only with the label or instructions we give you.

For fit problems, repairs and returns, see our Limited Warranty, which is part of our Refund Policy. For more answers, see our FAQ.