How to clean and care for your grillz

Why the right care makes a difference

A custom grillz from Grillz São Paulo is made from a mould of your own teeth, whether in solid 925 silver, 9K, 14K or 18K gold, plain or stone-set. Because the piece is removable — never glued or permanently fixed — you are in control of cleaning, and that is an advantage: you can keep the metal and stones looking their best without relying on frequent studio visits.

The care routine isn't complicated, but it does need to be consistent. Metal in direct contact with saliva, drinks and food residue tends to build up plaque quickly, just like any removable denture or appliance. This affects not just the look of the piece (shine, colour, stones) but also your oral health — so it's always worth keeping up with your regular dentist, who can advise on oral hygiene alongside wearing grillz.

Below we walk through the full routine: before wearing, after each wear, a deeper weekly clean, what to avoid at all costs, how to deal with natural silver tarnish, and specific care for stone-set pieces.

It's also worth noting that each type of metal needs slightly different attention: silver pieces need occasional polishing since they tend to tarnish, while gold pieces hold their colour longer but still benefit from regular cleaning. Stone-set pieces need extra care around each stone so the setting stays secure.

Before wearing

Brush and floss as part of your normal daily routine. This keeps food residue from getting trapped between your teeth and the piece the moment you put it in, which reduces the risk of bad breath and staining on the metal.

If possible, wait a few minutes after brushing before putting the grillz in, so your mouth isn't left with excess toothpaste or concentrated saliva — this helps the fit feel comfortable from the first minute.

Remember that grillz should never be worn while sleeping or eating. Taking this small moment of preparation — clean teeth, clean piece — already avoids most day-to-day care issues.

After every wear

As soon as you take the grillz out, rinse it in warm water (never boiling) to remove loose saliva and residue. Then brush it with a soft-bristle brush — a toothbrush set aside just for this works well — and a small amount of mild, unscented, non-abrasive soap.

Brush both the inside and outside of the piece, paying extra attention to the inner edges, which sit directly against the gum line and tend to collect more residue. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap.

Dry with a soft, clean cloth — never store the grillz while it's still damp. Once dry, keep it in the case provided by Grillz São Paulo. Avoid leaving it loose in a pocket, bag, wrapped in a napkin, or on any dusty surface, since that increases the risk of scratches, dents and lost stones on stone-set pieces.

This short routine takes less than a minute once it becomes a habit, and it makes a real difference over weeks and months of wear. Treating it the same way you would any removable dental appliance — rinse, brush, dry, store — keeps both the metal and your mouth in good condition.

A deeper weekly clean

On top of the daily quick clean, set aside a moment once a week for a more thorough clean. Soak the piece for 5 to 10 minutes in a denture cleaning solution, widely available at pharmacies.

This soak helps remove bacteria, stains and odours that brushing alone doesn't fully eliminate, especially on more elaborate designs such as fangs or stone-set pieces, where residue can hide more easily.

After soaking, rinse thoroughly under warm running water, dry with a soft cloth and store in the case. You don't need to do this every day — once a week is enough to keep the piece in good shape between wears.

What to avoid

• Abrasive toothpaste, which scratches the metal's polish
• Bleach and any chlorine-based product
• Boiling or very hot water
• Ultrasonic cleaners on stone-set pieces — they can loosen the stones
• Wearing grillz while sleeping or eating
• Storing the piece loose, without its case

Tarnished silver? That's normal

Solid 925 silver naturally tarnishes over time from exposure to air, saliva and certain foods. This doesn't mean the piece is damaged — it's simply a property of the metal.

To fix it at home, use a dedicated silver polishing cloth, available at jewellery supply shops. Gently rub the entire surface until the shine comes back.

If the tarnish is heavy or the piece has intricate details that are hard to polish by hand, bring it in for a professional polish at our studio. Since we work by appointment only, with no public storefront, just get in touch to arrange a time.

Caring for stone-set pieces

Stone-set grillz — moissanite from R$700 in silver or R$1,750 in gold, or natural diamonds quoted after the mould — need extra attention, because each stone is set individually and, over time and with heavy wear, the setting can loosen.

Always use a very soft brush to clean around each stone, without forcing, and avoid abrasive or ultrasonic products, which can compromise the setting. Every so often, hold the piece up to the light to check whether any stone looks loose or wobbly.

If you notice any looseness, stop wearing the piece immediately and contact us via WhatsApp +971 52 695 7620 or email contact@grillzsaopaulo.com to arrange a repair. Catching the issue early prevents losing the stone and keeps the piece looking the way it did when it was finished.

It also helps to avoid biting into very hard foods or chewing gum while wearing a stone-set piece, even though grillz are not meant to be worn while eating in general. The occasional habit of testing the fit with your teeth can put unnecessary pressure on the setting over time.

Storing and travelling with your grillz

The case that comes with each piece is designed to protect the metal and stones both at home and while travelling. Always store it somewhere dry, away from excess humidity and sudden temperature changes, which can speed up metal tarnish.

Avoid leaving the case inside a car on hot days or near direct heat sources, such as a hair straightener, oven or hair dryer. This applies to both silver and gold pieces, even though gold is more resistant to oxidation.

When travelling, keep the case in your carry-on whenever possible, especially for stone-set pieces — this avoids the rougher handling that checked luggage can go through, which could damage stones or deform thinner metal.

When to bring it back to the studio

Even with good care at home, some adjustments can only be done in the studio: professional polishing of heavily tarnished pieces, repairing loose stones, small fit adjustments if the piece has loosened over time, or redoing damaged stone settings.

Since we work by appointment only, with no fixed public address, just reach out to book an evaluation — we cover São Paulo city, Greater São Paulo and Campinas, with home visits arranged at booking, or you can send the piece in for assessment.

Keeping this simple routine — a daily quick clean, a weekly deep clean and extra attention for stone-set pieces — is enough to make your custom grillz last for years looking just like it did when it left our workshop.