目前，由金属制成的装饰牙套成为美国时尚青年的新宠，但口腔科专家近日向佩带者发出警告说，谨防口腔疾病！

　　据《每日电讯报》4月5日报道，这些装饰牙套大都由黄金、白金或纯银等金属制成，并镶有钻石和珠宝作装饰，售价往往高达数万美元。美国口腔协会专家指出，紧紧箍住牙齿的装饰牙套会滋生许多细菌，很可能导致牙龈溃烂或引发其它口腔病。美国一些州已做出决定禁止生产装饰牙套。

　　报道说，这场装饰牙套流行风兴起的始作俑者是美国饶舌歌手内利。在其最新单曲《Grillz》的宣传照上，内利嘴里的钻石牙光芒四射，可谓“一牙惊人”。而另一为饶舌歌手保罗口中的珠宝牙套也价值2500万英镑，他还戏称自己是“将Disco球含在口中”。据悉，保罗的珠宝牙套由得克萨斯州专门的珠宝商为其量身定做。

　　America's dentists are alarmed by a trend for mouth adornments which encase teeth in precious metals and jewellery.

　　Grills, as the removable mouthpieces are known, have been popularised by rappers who spend tens of thousands of dollars on gold, platinum or silver tooth coverings with diamond inlays.

　　Dental experts say the close-fitting ornaments can trap bacteria, causing decay and gum disease, and health officials in some states have barred their manufacture.

　　The mouthpieces recently gained nationwide fame thanks in part to the singer Nelly's hit single Grillz, which refers to his costly coverings as a "smile on the rocks". Since the song's release, the New York website GoldteethUSA.com has seen a 30 per cent increase in business.

　　The Houston rapper Paul Wall, who describes his $25,000 (￡14,000) oral bling as "a disco ball", has teamed up with a Texan jeweller to launch a line of custom-made mouthpieces.

　　To make a grill, an impression of the teeth is taken and a cast made. But Matthew Messina, of the American Dental Association, warned that using cheaper metals may expose wearers to allergic reactions.