The Dangers of Fake Braces, DIY Braces, & More

At Accorde Orthodontists, we’ve been proudly providing high-quality orthodontic treatment to patients in the Champlin, Maple Grove, and Rogers areas for over 50 years, and during that time, we’ve seen plenty of fads take the teen population by storm. Most of the time, these trends do nothing more than create some regrettable photos – but occasionally, we’ll see a trend come along that’s downright dangerous. That’s the case with fake & DIY braces – so we’re using this blog to spread awareness on this awful fad.

Fake Braces: Ineffective & Harmful

While this is thankfully rare, fake braces are still a fad we’ve seen occasionally over the years. Essentially, fake braces are “look alike” products that try to imitate the appearance of real orthodontic braces. They’ve been particularly popular as a fashion statement in Thailand, but they also exist in the US. While this may seem like a harmless fashion statement, the truth is that fake braces pose a serious danger to teeth. Because they aren’t designed and administered by a trained, board-certified orthodontist, fake braces can do serious harm to teeth, not only destroying the proper alignment of the teeth but also causing problems in the gums, teeth, and jawbone over time. The only person that should be applying any kind of appliance to the teeth is a trained, certified orthodontist.

The Dangers of DIY Braces

Another trend we’ve seen is “DIY braces,” which involves teens attempting to use rubber bands or string to apply pressure to teeth and shift their positions. While this is more of an attempt to alter alignment than a fashion statement, let us be extremely clear: DIY braces DO NOT WORK. Even more than that, they’re incredibly dangerous. The blunt pressure they apply to teeth isn’t calibrated to shift their positions, and as a result, DIY braces actually cut off the blood supply to the teeth. Over time, this can kill the tooth root, harm the gums, and eventually cause the teeth to fall out.

Schedule a Consultation with Your Rogers, Champlin, & Maple Grove Orthodontist

Far from moving teeth or creating a fashion statement, fake & DIY braces pose a mortal danger to the teeth and the health of the mouth. If you know anyone who’s considering trying either of these dangerous trends, make sure to tell them how harmful they are – and if you, your child, or anyone else you know really wants to improve their smile, ensure they work with a board-certified orthodontist like the team of doctors at Accorde Orthodontist. Feel free to call us at 763-425-9888 if you have more questions on this dangerous trend, and don’t hesitate to schedule your consultation online if you’d like to learn more about the treatment process for real braces. We hope to hear from you, and we remind you to never, ever, ever try fake or DIY braces!