DIY Braces: How This Fad Can Hurt Your Teeth

No matter where you go these days, you can find life-hacks and Do-it-Yourself instructions for just about anything. While this makes sense when you’re looking to make a new soap holder for your bathroom, most of us would stop short at DIY medical care. In spite of this, there has been a rising tide of DIY Braces on the internet, pandered by people who say that they’ve had resounding success straightening their own teeth. Whether you’ve just heard of this or have run into it in your meanderings throughout the web, you’re likely wondering whether it’s truly effective and safe.

DIY Teeth Straightening Kits and Braces

Having braces isn’t an uncommon experience, especially in our youth. These orthodontic devices are an effective method of straightening our teeth and helping to move them into proper alignment. From teeth that don’t line up quite right to correcting gaps between the teeth, there are a lot of problems they can fix. Recently you can find an increasing number of DIY kits online that are promising the same quality of results as your dentist, often priced at a value far below that available from your dentist. People are generally looking for ways to save money, making these kits an attractive option for getting the orthodontic care they need. But are they safe?

The Dangers of DIY Braces

DIY braces can pose a significant risk to your dental, and even your overall health. Orthodontists go to school for years learning how to apply these devices safely and effectively, and its not something just anyone can do reliably. The fact that many of these kits are made up of a variety of questionable materials ranging from superglue to paper clips and hair elastics is just one more reason that using them can lead to disaster. While some people have reported getting amazing results with these treatments, there are significant dangers to using them. The risks associated with DIY braces include:

• Your Teeth May Not Stay In Place – The nature of DIY braces means that there’s no guarantee that they’ll stay in place permanently, let alone that they’ll move into position properly. The process used for adjusting your teeth is a slow one for a reason, and DIY practices tend to adjust them on a shorter timeline. While this may seem good at first, it typically means the shift isn’t permanent.

• Tooth Loss Can Be More Common – The methods and rapidity with which your teeth are shifted can actually increase the likelihood that you’ll damage your teeth. This, in turn, can make you more likely to lose your teeth later in life.
• Gum Disease Risk Can Increase – Another element of DIY braces is an increased risk of contracting gum disease due to damage caused through the use of these devices.

If you’re considering DIY braces, we beg you to reconsider. DIY braces are a dangerous new fad that can cause serious and lasting damage to your teeth. Any perceived improvement to your smile isn’t worth the potentially lifelong damage it can cause. Massih Ortho offers convenient financing options to make orthodontic treatment affordable. Reach out to our office in Glendale, CA, today to arrange an appointment with Dr. Massih, and discuss your treatment options with a qualified dentist. Your teeth will thank you.