Grillz? What They Are, Why They’re Trending, and What Pop Culture Has to Do With It

Grillz. Would you?

It is a question that splits a room. Some people have been quietly thinking about it for years. Others would never consider it. But everyone has an opinion, and that alone says something about how far grillz have moved from the fringes into the mainstream conversation about personal style.

The team at Avira Dental sat down in the Avira Lounge to talk about it. The answers were all over the spectrum: weekend bling, Halloween vampire, statement piece, art. That conversation is what sparked this post.

At a glance

If you want the short version, start here.

• Grillz are removable decorative dental accessories, typically made from gold or other metals, worn over the teeth.
• They originated in African American hip-hop culture in the 1980s and have been part of mainstream pop culture ever since.
• A wave of high-profile celebrity moments has pushed grillz back into the global conversation in recent years.
• The trend has moved beyond music into fashion, sport, and everyday self-expression.
• The Avira team weighs in on where they stand on the trend.

What Are Dental Grillz?

Grillz (also spelled grills) are decorative covers that fit over the teeth. They are typically removable, made from metals such as gold, silver, or platinum, and sometimes set with diamonds or other stones. They are not a dental procedure in the traditional sense. They are an accessory, like jewellery, worn as a form of self-expression.

Unlike veneers or crowns, grillz are not bonded to the tooth. A well-made set is custom-fitted to sit over the teeth without adhesive, removing cleanly for eating, sleeping, and oral hygiene.

The quality of a grill varies enormously. At one end, there are cheap, one-size-fits-all pieces sold online that can put pressure on teeth and gums. At the other, there are bespoke, precision-fitted pieces made by or in collaboration with dental professionals, crafted to the exact contours of the wearer’s teeth.

Where Did Grillz Come From?

Grillz have their roots in African American hip-hop culture, emerging in the early 1980s in cities like New York and Atlanta. Gold teeth and dental jewellery had long been a symbol of status and wealth in various cultures, but hip-hop took that visual language and turned it into something distinctly its own.

By the mid-2000s, grillz had moved from a subculture signifier to a mainstream moment. Nelly’s 2005 song “Grillz” featuring Paul Wall and Ali & Gipp put the trend on the global map. Paul Wall himself became one of the most well-known custom grill makers in the world, building a business around handcrafted dental jewellery for some of the biggest names in music.

Why Are Grillz Trending Again?

The short answer: celebrity culture and social media have kept grillz alive, and a new generation of artists and athletes has brought them back to the forefront.

Over the past several years, grillz have appeared on some of the most photographed faces in the world. Artists like Post Malone, Cardi B, Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert have made heavily jewelled dental accessories a signature part of their image. In fashion, brands like Dolce and Gabbana have featured grill-wearing models on the runway. The line between dental jewellery and high fashion has effectively dissolved.

Beyond music and fashion, athletes have embraced the look. NBA and NFL players have been spotted courtside and post-game in custom grillz, taking the accessory from the recording studio to the arena floor.

1980s

Grillz emerge in hip-hop culture in New York and Atlanta

2005

Nelly’s “Grillz” hits number one and brings the trend to a global audience

Now

A new wave of artists, athletes and fashion brands have made grillz mainstream again

Grillz as a Fashion Statement, Not Just a Music Trend

What makes the current wave different from the 2000s moment is that grillz are no longer tied exclusively to a specific genre or scene. They have become a broader symbol of self-expression and individuality.

In the same way that tattoos moved from counterculture to commonplace over the past two decades, grillz are following a similar trajectory. They are appearing on people who have nothing to do with hip-hop, worn as a personal statement rather than a cultural signal.

That shift is part of what makes the conversation at Avira so interesting. When the team sat down to discuss whether they would wear grillz, the answers reflected exactly that diversity: some saw them as bold personal expression, others as costume, others somewhere in between. No single answer, because grillz no longer have a single meaning.

Are Grillz Safe for Your Teeth?

This is where it gets more nuanced. The safety of grillz depends almost entirely on quality and how they are worn.

Poorly fitted grillz, particularly cheap versions that are forced over the teeth without any customisation, can cause problems. They can put uneven pressure on teeth and gums, trap food and bacteria in hard-to-clean areas, and cause irritation over time. Some lower-quality pieces contain metals that are not appropriate for oral use.

A custom-fitted grill is a different story. Made to the precise shape of your teeth using proper impressions, from appropriate materials, worn as directed and removed for eating and sleeping, the risk profile is significantly different.

The American Dental Association has noted that there are no studies confirming grillz are safe, but also that removable grillz that fit properly and are maintained with good oral hygiene carry lower risk than permanent alterations. If you are thinking about grillz, talking to a dentist first is the right move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grillz

Are grillz permanent?

No. Traditional grillz are removable accessories that fit over the teeth without any bonding or permanent alteration. They can be taken out at any time. There are permanent versions involving tooth modification, but these are not widely recommended by dental professionals and carry significantly higher risk.

What are grillz made from?

Most quality grillz are made from gold (yellow, white, or rose gold), silver, or platinum. High-end pieces are often set with diamonds or gemstones. Cheaper versions may use base metals or plating that is not appropriate for prolonged contact with the teeth and gums.

Who made grillz popular?

Grillz have deep roots in hip-hop culture going back to the 1980s. Artists like Flava Flav, Lil Wayne, and later Nelly helped bring them to mainstream attention. In the current era, artists including Post Malone, Cardi B, Travis Scott, and many others have kept grillz front and centre in pop culture.

Can grillz damage your teeth?

Poorly fitted grillz worn for extended periods can cause problems including pressure on the teeth, gum irritation, and bacteria build-up. Well-fitted grillz made from appropriate materials and worn as removable accessories, rather than kept in continuously, carry a lower risk. If you are considering grillz, speaking with a dentist about your specific situation is worth doing first.

Are grillz just a hip-hop thing?

They started there, but they are no longer exclusive to hip-hop. Grillz have appeared on fashion runways, in high-end editorial photography, on athletes from multiple sports, and increasingly on people who simply want a bold personal accessory. Like many trends that began in subculture, grillz have moved into the mainstream as a broader form of self-expression.

Avira Dental, Penrith

Curious About Your Smile?

Whether grillz are on your radar or not, the conversation always comes back to one thing: how you feel about your smile. If there is something you have been thinking about changing, improving, or simply understanding better, that is worth a conversation.

BOOK A CONSULTATION