{"id":303,"date":"2016-01-18T15:15:18","date_gmt":"2016-01-18T20:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/?p=303"},"modified":"2026-04-28T17:25:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T21:25:00","slug":"warning-signs-of-diy-braces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skororthodontics.com\/blog\/warning-signs-of-diy-braces\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Tell if Your Child or Teen Follows the DIY Braces Trend"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"teenA bizarre trend has surfaced online, and it has dentists and parents alike alarmed: homemade\u00a0braces. While it\u2019s unclear how this trend began, it\u2019s been picking up steam as of late and putting children and teens at risk. We\u2019ve compiled the information you need to teach your children about the very real dangers of the trend and a list of warning signs\u00a0of DIY braces.<\/p>\n

What is the DIY Braces Trend?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DIY braces involve using rubber bands,\u00a0floss,\u00a0paper clips, earning backings, and other household items to straighten teeth and reduce tooth gaps at home. They believe\u00a0this treatment is\u00a0a low-cost, hassle-free alternative to traditional braces.\u00a0Not only is this belief false, it is also unsafe.<\/p>\n

The Dangers of DIY Braces
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On the surface, it may appear that DIY braces are effective and relatively harmless; it\u2019s no wonder teens across the globe are eager to experiment. However, the real danger lies underneath the gums and often times go unnoticed. Issues such as periodontal disease, root abnormalities, cysts on the bone, extra or missing teeth, and cavities are common complications that your teen won’t\u00a0notice until the problem is severe. The early stages simply can\u2019t be seen without an x-ray or an oral exams performed by someone trained to spot abnormalities.<\/p>\n

Attempting to move and fix teeth without a proper exam can lead to the permanent loss of teeth and expensive and lifelong dental problems. We urge you to warn your teen about the dangers of this terrifying trend. The risks are just not worth the cosmetic and financial benefits.<\/p>\n

Warning Signs of\u00a0DIY Braces <\/strong><\/p>\n

How can you tell if your child\/teen may be attempting to craft their own version of braces? To protect your child from this trend, be on the lookout for these warning signs of DIY braces:<\/p>\n