Concerned orthodontists across the country are seeing a growing trend in “do it yourself” braces, fueled by social media and plenty of easily available online videos. Our Richmond, VA, orthodontist warns that this new trend can cause permanent damage to your mouth. Read more to learn why DIY braces are not safe!
Our Richmond, VA, Orthodontist Says – Do NOT Do This at Home!
We all want great-looking teeth, but trying to straighten them on your own can have severe consequences, says our orthodontist in Richmond. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists recently issued a warning about the dangers of DIY braces after reporting an increase in the number of teens who have tried different “homemade” techniques. According to our Richmond, VA, orthodontist, teens watch and share YouTube videos with catchy titles like “Cheap Easy Braces,” which describe how to use regular rubber bands, paper clips, bobby pins, and even aluminum foil. These DIY methods may end up causing real damage to your teeth.
DIY Braces Can Cause Serious Damage to Teeth and Gums
One of the more common ways people try to straighten their teeth is to use a rubber band or hair tie to close an often-bothersome gap between the two front teeth. Sometimes the rubber band works its way up through the gum line – where it becomes embedded in the gum tissue or wrapped around the root of the tooth, explains our orthodontist in Richmond, VA. The rubber band then needs to be extracted by a dental professional.
In some cases, the DIY straightening method has actually caused the permanent tooth to loosen or even fall out, says our orthodontist in Richmond. This happens because each tooth is held in place by the periodontal ligament, which can be damaged by the embedded rubber band, cutting off the blood supply to the crucial tissues. Besides a “mouth of pain,” this situation can also cause an infection in the now suffering patient.
Leave Braces to the Real Experts at White Orthodontics!
Individuals with no orthodontic training or understanding of how the teeth move may end up with irreversible harm, warns our Richmond, VA, orthodontist. Because orthodontic movement is carefully designed for exact, precise alignment, moving the teeth improperly with a DIY technique can cause the roots of the teeth to deteriorate.
Our Richmond, VA, Orthodontist Makes Braces Affordable for Families
Please don’t go on YouTube to find out how braces can work for you! At White Orthodontics, our helpful, friendly staff will work with you to come up with a flexible payment plan that won’t break the bank. Call us to learn more!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about your child’s braces or other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact White Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontist office near Richmond, VA, by clicking here or by calling 804.747.7447.