Grill (jewelry)
In hip-hop culture, the term grills refers to cosmetic dental metal apparatus featuring silver, gold, or platinum caps with diamond inlays (usually princess-cut diamonds) jewelled to be worn over the teeth. Grills rose to prominence with Dirty South rappers in the 2000s as a symbol of their wealth and success, but have also been worn by some rock artists from Korn, Brooke Hogan, Marilyn Manson, Avenged Sevenfold and Dir en grey. The video to the 2005 single "Grillz" (by Nelly, Paul Wall, Big Gipp, and Ali) showcases many common styles of grills. Grills can be purchased online or at specialty shops.
Grills are also known as Fronts, Golds, Plates, Gold Grills, Shines, Caps, Slugs, Pullouts.
While some grills are made to be removable similar to that of a orthodontic retainer, others are permanently bonded to the teeth of their owners.
Potential for damage
Dentists have issued warnings that the wearing of grills can cause lasting damage, including gum infections, irritations, and cavities. Problems cited include prolonged wearing of grills, which allows for food and bacteria to become trapped underneath, and the types of metal the grill was constructed from. More expensive grills, such as those made from gold or platinum are cited as being "bio-compatible", but cheaper grills made from non-precious metals, such as those containing nickel, can cause allergic reaction. It is estimated that "one in seven people have a metal allergy" according to Dr. Matt Messina, consumer advisor to the American Dental Association. [1]
Banned in Texas schools
In 2006, several Texas school districts expanded their dresscodes in order to ban the wearing of these removable mouthpieces citing etiquette and safety concerns. "We want to instill in them a sense of modesty and a sense of community," Arlington Independent School District school board trustee explained. "We're preparing them for the work force, and in the work force there are rules." Neighboring districts Irving, Grand Prairie, and DeSoto have also banned the wearing of grills on school grounds. [2] [3]
References
- ^ "Skip the dental bling — grills bad for teeth". MSNBC. 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2006-07-20.
- ^ "Texas School District Bans Grillz". Associated Press. 2006-07-11. Retrieved 2006-07-20.
- ^ "Texas School District Bans Grills". Spin (magazine). 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2006-07-20.
- Paul Wall's Custom Grillz
- "Grillz", a 2005 single by Nelly, featuring Paul Wall, Ali, and Big Gipp. And with remixes added, other notable artists.
External links
- Cohan, Jillian. "Mouth grills bling out the best in a hip-hopper's smile", St. Paul Pioneer Press. June 14, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2006.
- Brammer, Sherice. "Let me see your grill", The Temple News. April 25, 2006.
- "Up In Their Grills", The Smoking Gun. April 10, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2006.
- Errett, Joshua. "The $16,000 grin", The Globe and Mail. February 18, 2006. Retrieved July 4, 2006.
- Rosenbaum, S.I. "A mouthful of work", St. Petersburg Times. December 9, 2005. Retrieved July 4, 2006.
- Dental Board Warns of Mouth Jewelry Hazards and also a slightly different archived version here.
- Examples of Grillz & Gold Teeth - Pictures of different popular styles of grills
- "The People's Chomp", The Andy Milonakis Show, featuring Paul Wall. Short video which parodies grills.
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