How to clean and look after your grillz

Why cleaning matters more for grillz than most jewellery

Grillz sit directly against your teeth and gums for hours at a time, picking up saliva, food particles and plaque the way any surface in the mouth does. Left uncleaned, that build-up can dull the metal, cloud any stones, and isn't pleasant for your own teeth either. None of this takes long to prevent — it just needs to be regular.

Daily cleaning routine

The basics are the same whatever metal or stones your set has.

• Rinse your grillz with lukewarm water as soon as you take them out.
• Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush — a spare one kept just for this is ideal — using plain water or a small amount of mild, non-abrasive soap.
• Avoid toothpaste on the metal itself; most toothpastes contain mild abrasives that are fine for tooth enamel but will dull a polished or plated surface over time.
• Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth before putting your set away — storing it damp encourages tarnish and bacteria.
• Clean your own teeth and gums separately and thoroughly, exactly as you normally would, including when you're wearing your grillz less often.

Storing your set

Keep your grillz in a hard, closed case when they're not being worn rather than loose in a pocket or bag, where they can pick up scratches or get bent against other items. A small jewellery or denture-style case works well and keeps dust off the metal between wears.

Stone-set grillz need a little extra care

Moissanite and diamond are both hard stones and resist scratching well, but the metal settings holding them in place are more delicate than plain metal. Avoid anything abrasive near the stones, and if you ever notice a stone feels loose, stop wearing that piece and get in touch rather than continuing to wear it — a loose stone can be reset, but a lost one can't always be replaced to match exactly.

What to avoid altogether

A short list of things to keep away from your grillz, whatever the metal:

• Household cleaning chemicals, bleach or anything not designed for the mouth.
• Ultrasonic jewellery cleaners, which can loosen stone settings not designed for that kind of vibration.
• Chewing gum or very sticky foods while wearing your set.
• Swimming or showering in your grillz — chlorine and prolonged water exposure aren't good for the finish.

When to get in touch

If the fit starts to feel loose, a stone works its way free, or the metal shows wear you're unsure about, message us rather than trying to adjust it yourself. We'd always rather look at a set early than have someone keep wearing something that no longer fits properly.