The Culture & Science of Dental Art: Tooth Tattoos & Grills

Reading Time: 5 minutes

When you think of a tattoo, you probably imagine ink on skin. But did you know that tattoos and jewelry for the teeth are also a growing trend? From tooth tattoos to grills (decorative covers for teeth), people around the world are using their smiles as a canvas for art, culture, and fashion. While these modifications may look striking, it’s important to understand the history, the science, and the risks behind them.

(Note: grills are sometimes spelled “grillz,” especially in pop culture.)

A white male patient sitting in a dental chair wearing a metallic diamond grill, smiling while a Black female dental assistant in scrubs holds dental tools beside him. — Getting fitted for gold and diamonds: a patient shows off a custom grill during a visit to the dentist.

What Are Tooth Tattoos?

A tooth tattoo is not a tattoo in the traditional sense. Since teeth are covered by enamel — the hardest material in the human body — ink cannot be injected like it can into skin. Instead, the term “tooth tattoo” generally refers to two types of cosmetic modifications:

Crown Tattoos

Artwork is painted onto a dental crown (a custom-made cap that restores a tooth’s size, shape, and strength).

The crown is then placed in the mouth, so the tattoo becomes part of your restored tooth.

These tattoos are created in a dental lab by skilled technicians and baked into porcelain crowns for durability.

Temporary Tattoos or Decals:

Stickers or designs are bonded to the surface of a natural tooth using dental adhesives.

These may last for a short time and can sometimes be removed more easily than crown tattoos.

Cultural Roots of Tooth Tattoos

Decorating teeth is not new. Across history, different civilizations have modified or adorned teeth for cultural, spiritual, or social reasons:

Mayans (Central America): drilled holes in teeth and inlaid them with jade or turquoise to show commitment to their community.

Etruscans (ancient Italy): created gold dental bridges and jewelry to signal wealth.

Filipinos: used gold teeth to show bravery and high social status.

India (Choumps): in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, people placed gold dots into enamel of incisors, hammered into drilled cavities as symbols of truth and tribal identity.

Today, tooth tattoos are often chosen for self-expression, much like body art. Patients may request designs of animals, flowers, celebrities, or symbols meaningful to them.

The Science Behind Tooth Tattoos

Crown Procedure: A dentist prepares your tooth, takes an impression, and sends it to a lab. If you request artwork, a dental artist hand-paints a design onto the crown before it is glazed and returned for placement.

Temporary Bonding: Decals or gems can be attached using etchant (acidic gel) and bonding resin. The etchant roughens enamel microscopically, allowing resin to “lock in,” like Velcro.

Removal: Crown tattoos can be removed by grinding the crown’s surface or replacing it. Temporary tattoos may require a dentist to polish off remaining adhesive.

Are Tooth Tattoos Safe?

Crown tattoos are generally safe because they are placed on artificial restorations, not natural enamel. They don’t harm the tooth structure itself.

Temporary tattoos on enamel raise more concerns.

Etching removes enamel permanently.

Removal with a dental bur (rotary instrument) may take off even more enamel.

Damaged enamel cannot grow back, leaving teeth more vulnerable to cavities (dental caries), tooth sensitivity, and staining.

For this reason, many dentists caution against direct enamel tattoos or DIY kits sold online.

What Are Grills?

Grills are removable decorative covers that snap over teeth.

They’re usually made of:

Gold, silver, or platinum

Precious stones or jewels

Grills became popular in the 1980s hip-hop culture as a status symbol. Today, celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Justin Bieber wear them as fashion statements.

Cultural Background of Grills

Although mainstream popularity is recent, the idea of using teeth to show wealth or identity is ancient:

Gold teeth have long symbolized power in parts of Latin America and the Caucasus.

In some African and Asian traditions, decorated teeth showed bravery or spiritual connection.

Hip-hop artists embraced grills in the 1980s as a visible symbol of success, turning them into global fashion.

The Dental Risks of Grills

While grills look flashy, they can create problems for oral health:

Plaque Traps: Grills can trap food and bacterial plaque against enamel. Plaque bacteria produce acid that causes tooth decay and irritates gums, leading to periodontal disease.

Tooth Misalignment: Poorly fitting grills may push teeth out of position.

Bite Problems: They may prevent you from closing your mouth properly, leading to jaw pain or headaches.

Enamel Damage: Some people attempt to glue grills in permanently. This can strip enamel and injure gums. Ingesting glue can even be life-threatening.

Caring for Grills (If You Already Have Them)

If you wear grills, you can reduce risks by:

Cleaning them daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Removing them before eating.

Brushing and flossing teeth before putting them back in.

Never using jewelry cleaners (they may be toxic if swallowed).

Visiting a dentist to check for fit and signs of damage.

Should You See a Dentist Before Getting Dental Art?

Absolutely. A dentist or dental hygienist can:

Evaluate the health of your teeth and gums.

Explain whether a crown tattoo or tooth jewelry is safe for your situation.

Warn you about risks such as decay, gum inflammation, or enamel loss.

Offer safer cosmetic options like veneers, whitening, or orthodontics.

The Bottom Line

Tooth tattoos and grills are eye-catching ways to express yourself, but they aren’t without risks. Some cultural traditions treat decorated teeth as sacred, while modern trends see them as fashion accessories.

If you’re considering dental art: