At-home teeth straightening and DIY braces have become a popular, somewhat viral internet trend. Promoters of this trend promise a beautifully straight smile for a fraction of the time and cost of traditional orthodontics, but DIY braces can actually cause serious damage to your smile and even your overall health. Keep reading to learn why you should always see a professional dentist when it comes to straightening your teeth.
What Are DIY Braces?
DIY, or do-it-yourself, is a trend that has become popular with the rise of the internet. While do-it-yourself projects like building a deck are fun challenges to tackle, DIY braces can cause severe oral health issues. People have tried to make braces from materials like:
- Superglue
- Rubber bands
- Dental floss
- Hair elastics
- Paper clips
- Bracelet beads
- Orthodontic wax
Unfortunately, these materials are not sterile or medical-grade, which can cause infection and even loss of teeth. Social media influencers have convinced people to try these methods to achieve a straight smile without the time and cost of traditional braces. While a straight smile may seem enticing, you should always see a dental professional for orthodontics because of the many risks of DIY braces.
How Can They Affect My Smile?
Here are some of the ways DIY braces put you at risk:
Shifting of Your Teeth
Professional orthodontics gradually shift your teeth over time because it creates lasting results. When you straighten your teeth rapidly with DIY braces, the chances of them shifting back into misalignment are high.
Possibility of Losing Your Teeth
Rubber bands and other makeshift materials for braces can destroy your teeth and their roots. DIY braces cut off the circulation your teeth need to stay healthy. This can result in having to see your dentist to get teeth pulled.
Gum Infection
Rubber bands, paper clips, and other popular DIY braces items can cut into your gums, causing pain and infection. Because DIY braces involve the use of nonsterile items, infection can easily occur. Although it starts with your gums, the infection can get in your bloodstream and affect the rest of your body.
Paying More than You Saved
Most people decide to give DIY braces a try because they want to avoid spending the money on professional care. However, you could end up paying much more in the long run after using DIY braces.
Replacing teeth is not only time consuming, but it’s expensive as well. And, the possible damage and infection that can occur during your DIY treatment will require more time and money spent at your dentist’s office. That’s why you’re much better off saving your money to make a smart investment in the beauty and health of your smile.
Other Popular Alternatives with Risks
There are now a variety of companies like SmileDirectClub, Candid, and Clear Smiles, that offer mail-order clear aligners. These companies promise the same results as professional treatment, but with much less time and cost. However, these mail-order aligning trays come with risks of their own. Without a dentist evaluating your smile before, during, and after treatment, you’re putting your smile at risk for a lot of the same problems that DIY braces can cause.
Now that you know some of the perils of DIY braces and mail-order aligners, you should avoid straightening your teeth at home to keep your smile safe. If you’re considering a straighter smile, contact your dentist to get started on a safe and effective treatment plan with Invisalign clear braces!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Bradley Mitchell takes pride in providing quality care to his Oklahoma City community. He offers Invisalign at his practice to give his patients straight teeth in a safe, discreet, and comfortable way. He currently runs his own practice, and he can be reached through his website or by phone at (405) 755-2670 for any questions.
