Kansas City Chiefs Players and Their Smiles: Natural Teeth, Braces, and a Touch of Grillz

Dr. Emily Parker, DDS

Jun 13, 2024 — 7 min read

The Kansas City Chiefs are known for their athletic prowess, championship-winning spirit, and, perhaps surprisingly, their dedication to healthy smiles.

While the pressure to maintain a perfect image in the public eye can influence celebrities and athletes alike, many Chiefs players seem to favor natural teeth or embrace orthodontic treatments for achieving a confident smile.

Kansas City Chiefs players, from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce, tend to favor natural teeth or orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign, with a few embracing grillz as a personal style choice. The team's approach suggests a focus on healthy smiles and individual preferences over the pressure to conform to Hollywood standards.

Let's explore the diverse dental choices among these football stars, shedding light on their approaches to smile aesthetics and the reasons behind their decisions.

Key Takeaways:

Many Kansas City Chiefs players, including Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and Andy Reid, have natural teeth, demonstrating a preference for their authentic smiles.
Several players, like Isaiah Pacheco and Rasheed Rice, are opting for orthodontic treatments, like conventional braces and clear aligners, to achieve a straighter smile.
Kadarius Toney embraces a unique personal style, sporting removable grillz with diamonds and gold.
The Chiefs' approach to dental care reflects a focus on healthy smiles and individual preferences, rather than conforming to pressures for perfect aesthetics.

4 Chiefs Players Who Embrace Their Authentic Teeth

Several star players on the Kansas City Chiefs have chosen to embrace their natural smiles, showcasing a preference for authenticity over the pressure to conform to idealized standards of dental perfection.

Patrick Mahomes: The quarterback, known for his incredible arm and on-field leadership, also has a charming and genuine smile. While he sports a slight diastema (a gap) between his front teeth, it doesn't detract from his smile's natural appeal. This small imperfection adds a touch of personality to his overall look.
Travis Kelce: The tight end, celebrated for his athleticism and his on-field charisma, has a naturally stunning smile. His teeth are well-aligned and exhibit a healthy and vibrant appearance. Kelce's smile exemplifies the beauty of a natural, authentic grin.
Chris Jones: The defensive tackle, renowned for his powerful presence on the field, also boasts a natural smile. His teeth appear straight and healthy, showcasing a natural confidence.
Andy Reid: The head coach, known for his leadership and tactical genius, also has a smile that reflects his natural charm. His teeth are well-aligned and exhibit a healthy and vibrant appearance. Reid's smile embodies the confidence and authenticity of a leader who embraces his natural features.

These Chiefs players demonstrate that a confident smile doesn't always require extensive dental procedures.

They've chosen to embrace their authentic selves, showcasing the inherent beauty of natural teeth.

The Chiefs' Embrace of Orthodontics

The Kansas City Chiefs aren't afraid to prioritize healthy smiles and functional alignment, and several players have opted for orthodontic treatments to achieve a straighter, more confident grin.

Isaiah Pacheco: The running back has publicly embraced conventional braces, demonstrating a dedication to improving his smile. This decision shows that he's willing to commit to a longer-term treatment plan to achieve his desired results. It's a testament to the increasing importance of functional alignment and a healthy bite, both on and off the field.
Rasheed Rice: The wide receiver is a fan of clear aligners, a discreet and increasingly popular option for orthodontic treatment. Clear aligners offer a more aesthetically pleasing approach to straightening teeth, making them ideal for players who want to improve their smile without drawing attention to their treatment.

These players' choices highlight a shift in the perception of orthodontic treatment.

It's no longer just about aesthetics; it's about improving overall oral health, promoting proper biting and chewing, and preventing future dental issues.

Braces and clear aligners can also contribute to a more confident smile, which can boost self-esteem and overall well-being.

The increasing popularity of orthodontic treatments among athletes, including the Chiefs players, reflects a growing awareness of the importance of functional alignment and a healthy bite.

These treatments can improve chewing efficiency, reduce the risk of jaw pain and headaches, and contribute to a more balanced and confident smile.

The trend of embracing orthodontics demonstrates that professional athletes are no longer afraid to invest in their oral health and strive for a smile that's both beautiful and functional.

Kadarius Toney's Grillz: A Touch of Bling and Individuality

While most Kansas City Chiefs players favor natural smiles or embrace orthodontic treatments, wide receiver Kadarius Toney stands out with his unique personal style, adding a touch of bling to his look with his love of grillz.

Grillz: A Form of Personal Expression: Grillz are removable dental jewelry, custom-made to fit a person's teeth. They are often adorned with diamonds, gold, and other precious materials.

Toney's grillz reflect his personal style choice, a way to express his individuality and add a touch of flair to his appearance.

Grillz have become a popular form of self-expression, particularly in hip-hop and urban culture.

They represent a bold statement, a way to stand out and express individuality.

For Toney, grillz might be a way to showcase his personality, highlight his unique style, and add a touch of luxury to his look.

The choice to wear grillz can also be seen as a reflection of confidence. It takes a certain degree of self-assurance to embrace a bold and eye-catching style choice.

Toney's grillz demonstrate that he's not afraid to stand out and express himself, even in a world where conformity and traditional notions of beauty often prevail.

The Cost Factor: Veneers vs. Orthodontics and Other Alternatives

Veneers, while often considered a quick fix for achieving a perfect smile, come with a hefty price tag.

The cost of veneers can vary significantly depending on the type of material used, the number of teeth treated, and the location of the dentist.

A full set of veneers can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or even more.

Fortunately, the Chiefs players who are opting for orthodontic treatments are embracing more affordable and less invasive options:

Braces: Braces typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the type of braces and the length of treatment.
Invisalign: Clear aligners like Invisalign can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000, depending on the complexity of the treatment plan.

There are several other affordable alternatives to veneers that can address various dental concerns:

Teeth Whitening: This is a relatively inexpensive option for brightening teeth, with costs ranging from $100 to $600, depending on the type of whitening used.
Composite Bonding: This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the surface of teeth to correct minor imperfections, costing between $150 and $400 per tooth.
Dental Crowns: Crowns are used to protect and strengthen damaged teeth, costing between $800 and $1,500 per tooth.

While the initial cost of orthodontic treatment might seem higher than veneers, it's important to remember that orthodontics is a long-term investment in oral health.

Braces and clear aligners can not only straighten teeth but also improve bite, reduce the risk of jaw pain and headaches, and contribute to a more balanced and confident smile for the long haul.

Risks of Dental Procedures for Athletes: A Balancing Act

While dental procedures can enhance smiles and improve oral health, athletes need to be mindful of the potential risks, especially those involved in high-impact sports like football.

Impact Injuries: Football is a contact sport where impacts to the mouth are common. Even teeth that have been treated with veneers or crowns can be damaged by strong impacts. Athletes who have undergone dental procedures should consider wearing mouthguards to protect their teeth and prevent injuries.
Gum Recession: Some dental procedures, such as veneers, can contribute to gum recession, exposing the edges of the restoration and potentially affecting its appearance and longevity. Athletes should be aware of this potential risk and maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent gum recession.
Maintaining Oral Health: Athletes need to be diligent about maintaining excellent oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings. This is particularly important for athletes who have undergone dental procedures to ensure the longevity and health of their restorations.

Managing Risks and Maintaining Oral Health:

Athletes who are considering dental procedures should consult with their dentist to discuss the potential risks and benefits.

A thorough understanding of the risks associated with dental procedures can help athletes make informed decisions that prioritize their oral health and well-being.

The Chiefs' Smiles: A Celebration of Individuality and Healthy Choices

The Kansas City Chiefs, a team known for their on-field prowess, showcase a diverse range of approaches to dental care, demonstrating that a confident and healthy smile can be achieved through various paths.

From the natural smiles of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to the orthodontic journeys of Isaiah Pacheco and Rasheed Rice, and even Kadarius Toney's unique style with grillz, the Chiefs embrace individuality and prioritize healthy smiles.

Their choices challenge the conventional pressures for perfect aesthetics and remind us that beauty comes in many forms.

The Chiefs' players, through their diverse dental journeys, highlight the importance of making informed decisions, considering the potential risks and benefits of dental procedures, and embracing a healthy and confident approach to oral care.

Whether you're a professional athlete, a passionate fan, or simply someone who appreciates a beautiful smile, the Kansas City Chiefs' dental choices provide valuable lessons.

Remember, a confident smile is a testament to individual expression, healthy choices, and a commitment to overall well-being.