Doing it yourself—the trend to find innovative ways to solve common problems with homemade solutions—is a popular movement. A quick search on YouTube or Instructables can reveal any number of ways for a resourceful person to tackle many common challenges.
One do-it-yourself (DIY) concept gaining popularity is homemade braces. The videos online promise that you can close gaps in your teeth with nothing more than an elastic hair band or dental floss.
While the prospect of straightening your teeth for a small amount of money and a trip to supermarket may sound appealing, this particular exercise in DIY is likely to leave you scowling rather than smiling.
The Risks of Homemade Braces
The allure of being able to straighten your teeth cheaply may seem alluring, but there’s a reason orthodontists spend years at University. Properly aligning teeth requires an in-depth understanding of:
- The correct position and alignment of teeth both in your mouth and in relation to each other
- How teeth movement affect the gums and jaw bones
- How to safely move teeth without causing damage
Think about it. Your teeth are affixed in place by roots that extend into your jaw bone. It isn’t feasible to move them around without affecting your other teeth, gums and bones.
Homemade braces can lead to any number of homemade problems, including:
- Gum and tooth pain
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Bone loss
To make matters worse, trying to fix your teeth with homemade braces could lead to significant dental issues. Many people have ended up with problems so severe they required extensive surgery!
A better solution is a professional treatment that gradually moves your teeth into position, based on your unique teeth alignment and needs. A series of customised aligners like those designed by market leader, Invisalign, does this based on accurate data for your entire mouth.
In addition to aligning your teeth with precision, this process helps ensure they’ll stay in place once you’re done with the treatment.
Wearing Homemade Braces Is a Challenge
Quite apart from the very real dangers of DIY teeth straightening, you need to consider how homemade braces will affect you while you’re wearing them.
First off, there’s the pain. Wrapping a hair band around your teeth will cause severe pressure. Between the tension and a possible constriction of blood to your teeth, you could be in for an excruciating experience.
An orthodontist, on the other hand, doesn’t force your teeth together. Instead, there’s a series of calculated movements designed to gradually and gently coax your teeth to shift.
Then you have to consider your appearance. If you’ve been put off by the idea of going to business meetings or social gatherings wearing a mouthful of metal, imagine how you’ll feel with an unsightly hair band or wad of dental floss wrapped all around your teeth!
Homemade Braces Aren’t a Healthy Choice
There are some aspects of healthcare that can easily be addressed from home, if you’re inclined. From herbal cold remedies to foods that help reduce acid reflux, there’s a time and place for managing your own health.
However, it’s neither healthy nor safe to place objects in your mouth that can disintegrate and haven’t been tested for risks.
Perhaps many people consider homemade braces because of their apprehension over getting traditional braces. After all, who wants to flash a mouth full of metal—much less clean it— for several years.
Thankfully, there’s another option: customised, clear aligners from Invisalign.
Invisalign clear aligners are unlike traditional braces because they:
- Are designed to be removed during meals and for brushing.
- Are discreet and difficult to spot in casual or professional conversation.
- Fit the whole tooth using SmartTrack technology, providing a consistent, even and comfortable pressure.
Your smile is too important to be left to a YouTube video. Make a commitment to the importance of your smile by finding your nearest MiSmile provider and scheduling a no-obligation, free consultation, today.
