To keep custom grillz looking new: take them out to eat and drink, clean them daily with warm water and a soft brush, use a proper jewelry cleaner weekly, and store them dry and separate in a case. A good set of solid gold or silver grillz can last decades with basic care. Here's exactly how to do it right, from a shop that's been handcrafting grillz since 1991.
Daily care
Rinse after each wear. A quick rinse under warm water removes saliva and residue before it dries. Do this every time you take them out — it's the single most important habit.
Take them out to eat and drink. Food and colored drinks (coffee, wine, soda) trap between the grill and your teeth, discolor the metal over time, and create the perfect environment for bacteria. This is the habit dentists most want you to keep.
Take them out to sleep. Overnight wear gives bacteria hours to build up. Take them out before bed, every night.
Brush your teeth normally. Grillz don't replace brushing. Brush morning and night as usual, with grillz out.
Weekly deep cleaning
Once a week, do a proper cleaning:
1. Warm water and mild soap. Fill a small bowl with warm (not hot) water and a drop of gentle dish soap. Soak the grillz for 5–10 minutes.
2. Soft-bristle brush. Use a soft toothbrush — not a stiff-bristle one — to gently scrub the inside surfaces where residue collects. Work carefully around any stones or open-face details.
3. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse under warm running water until every trace of soap is gone. Soap residue can dull the metal's shine.
4. Dry completely. Pat dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Don't put grillz away wet — moisture trapped in a case leads to tarnish, especially on silver.
For a proper polish, use a real jewelry cleaner
Once every few weeks, use a proper cleaner made for precious metals — our liquid jewelry cleaner is formulated for gold, silver, platinum, and stones. It restores the shine that soap can't fully bring back, and it's what we use behind the counter.
What to avoid
Harsh chemicals. No bleach, no chlorine, no ammonia-based cleaners. These damage precious metals and can dissolve alloys.
Abrasive materials. No baking soda pastes, no scouring pads, no toothpaste. These scratch the polished surface.
Ultrasonic cleaners on delicate stones. Ultrasonic units are fine for solid gold, but they can loosen or damage stone settings on grillz with moissanite or diamonds. When in doubt, stick to hand cleaning.
Adhesives. Never use glue, denture adhesive, or any bonding agent to hold grillz in place. A custom-fitted set doesn't need it, and adhesives don't belong on tooth enamel.
Storage
Dry, cool, and separate. Store your grillz in a case — the one that shipped with your set is fine — lined with a soft cloth. Silver especially benefits from being stored in an airtight bag with an anti-tarnish strip if you won't be wearing them for a while.
Never store wet. Moisture speeds up tarnish and creates conditions for bacteria. Dry completely before putting them away.
Separate from other jewelry. Precious metals scratch each other. Grillz belong in their own case, not tossed in with rings and chains.
What if they lose their shine?
Solid gold and silver both develop a normal patina over time — that's not damage; it's just the metal reacting to air and skin. A proper cleaner brings them right back. If they're dented, bent, or a stone comes loose, bring them into either of our HEB counters or ship them to us — most repair work is straightforward when you go to the shop that made them.
How long should custom grillz last?
Solid silver, 10K, and 14K gold grillz, cared for properly, last for years. We've had customers bring in sets we made 10 or 15 years ago that still look sharp because the owner rinsed after every wear and cleaned them weekly. The metal doesn't wear out; only neglect does.
Questions about your specific set?
Call Killeen (254) 539-4653, Copperas Cove (254) 547-4653, or text our VIP line (254) 294-7865. Or read more in our grillz safety guide and FAQ.
