A grill is worn against enamel in a warm, wet environment. Cared for properly it is harmless and lasts decades; neglected, it traps exactly what you do not want trapped.

The two rules again

Take it out to eat and to drink anything other than water. Food and sugar held between metal and enamel is the single mechanism by which grills cause decay, and removing the piece removes the mechanism entirely.

Take it out to sleep. Saliva flow drops overnight, which is the worst time to have anything held against a tooth.

Clean it after every wear

Rinse it, brush it gently with a soft brush and warm water, and dry it before it goes back in the case. No harsh chemicals and no bleach — and no boiling water, which can damage settings.

Brush your teeth before putting it in, not just after taking it out. A clean surface under the metal matters more than a clean grill.

Silver tarnish and stone knocks

Sterling silver tarnishes in air; a polishing cloth takes it off in a minute. It is not a defect and it does not mean the piece is low quality.

If a set stone takes a hard knock it can loosen. If you see or feel movement, stop wearing it and send it back — an individual stone re-set is a small job, and a lost stone from a full piece is not.

Store it in the case

The case is not packaging. A grill loose in a pocket or a drawer gets scratched, bent and eventually lost, and a bent piece no longer fits the mould it was cast from.

If it stops seating the way it used to, do not force it. Send it back and we will check it against your mould on file.