Looking to have a great smile this St. Patrick\’s Day without spending a ton of green? Recently, we have been hearing more about the dangerous online trend of DIY orthodontic braces. To us, this sounds like a recipe for dental disaster and has the potential to cause more harm than good. Various social media videos, blog posts and websites are becoming more popular and numerous that feature DIY dentistry. Parents- please speak to your kids about how unsafe many of these items below can be if not left to the professionals:
- Orthodontic Braces: DIY braces typically use household rubber bands. These have the potential to move teeth into undesirable positions in the jaw bones, leading to serious periodontal (gum) issues. Costly gum and bone grafts may be needed to correct. In addition, most of the materials used in Youtube videos pose a choking hazard and if not fit to the teeth properly can collect plaque and increase the risk for cavities.
- Whitening: At home whiteners tend to be either highly abrasive or too acidic. The first one that pops up (baking soda and lemon!) can do enough damage to remove the surface enamel, or white ort of the tooth. We only have limited amounts of enamel and once it is gone, it cannot be regenerated… only remineralized with the mineral fluoride.
- Snap on Veneers: There are various places online to buy, and are not permanently attached to the teeth. You cannot eat with them in, and the cement can dissolve with hot liquids. The added bulk may also lead to issues speaking.
- Fillings: Temporary zinc containing tooth filling material may cover the missing tooth structure on the crown of the tooth (the part of the tooth you can see) but does not take care of any infection which has reached the pulp or surrounding bone.
- Tooth ache: May be a sign of a sub-threshold infection now but can blow up into a major health problem later on which can potentially compromise an airway (Ludwig’s angina) or spread to the brain. Never ever place crushed aspirin around the gums of the tooth because it can cause a painful ulcer known as an “aspirin burn.”
- Dental “pimple”/fistula/boil: This is the sign of a tooth that has a dead pulp. The decaying nerve and infection is trying to work its way out of the tooth by creating a track to the outside. You can not fix the problem by popping it!
- Extractions: If fragments of roots are left behind, they can cause cysts or infections in the bone which a dentist needs to open up and remove. Save yourself the trouble and don’t go poking!
- Teething: Please talk to an oral health professional before giving anything to your child. Certain homeopathic teething tablets contain deadly levels of the toxic substance, belladonna. Instead, I like to recommend frozen blueberries or bananas or a cool washcloth as needed J
Hope you have a better understanding of these common dental concerns. There are always safer, and potentially less expensive alternatives. Saving money at the dentist starts with prevention. Brushing our teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day & flossing at home. Also, keeping up with regular dental visits will identify any disease early on before more damage can be done.
Until next time,
Lynne
Disclaimer: This content on this blog is based on my opinion. I do not receive any financial incentive. Follow at your own discretion.