DIY Braces: Why It’s Not Good For Your Mouth

In the day and age of independent music, art, and publishing, many trends have likewise gone ‘rogue’ — that is, have shifted to Do-it-Yourself.

Fashion is one of these phenomena. Gone are the days where you would buy a whole dress pre-made, ready to wear. Teenagers now would rather mix-and-match, sew, and modify their own clothes to their own liking. However, there’s a new trend that has popped up which may be severely threatening to your health: DIY Braces.

Everyone wants straight and perfect teeth, but prohibitive costs of dental braces have been a barrier for those who dream of perfect teeth. This is why alternatives such as DIY braces have graced the market, but for the worse. Countless Youtube videos have been widespread in social media which outlines how to use DIY braces, but do not emphasize the risks associated with the product.

Source: WikiHow

Here are some reasons why DIY braces should be avoided:

 1. Tooth damage

A misplaced DIY brace could snap. As a result, it can cause damage to your permanent teeth. These DIY braces are commonly made of brittle material which have not passed quality checks, so there is always an on-going risk.

 2. Accommodating pains and aches

Let’s face it — braces hurt. More so when you apply it yourself, without the guidance and help of dentists who take careful measurements before applying the treatment.

 3. Infection

A certain risk often neglected is the entry of foreign objects inside your mouth, due to the DIY braces not being cleaned beforehand.

These are three main risks which could happen with DIY braces which can cause permanent damage. Alternatively, dentists may advise you to use professionally prescribed braces. These are medically quality controlled, and will be placed with the aid of your dentist or an official phone application.

As with anything that has to do with your body – always remember to not take avoidable risks. Only trust certified professionals.