Lifestyle Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. If you’re considering adding a bit of glam to your smile with DIY braces (the latest bizarre beauty to explode across TikTok), experts are surfing you to think twice.
Dental experts are advising against fake, decorative braces applied at home – also known as “fashion braces” – because the unnecessary heavy metal can cause painful tooth damage, detrimental misalignment or oral infections. “ Tooth enamel does not grow back,” Dr. Samuel Lee, an orthodontist based in Southern California, told “Today” onMonday.
“Once it’s broken and once it’s fractured, it’s completely done.” “Fashion braces” aren’t new – a 2018 medical journal entry warned that the non-medical appliances were taking off in Southeast Asia as teenagers tried to attain a certain “standard of luxury.” Thailand even banned fake braces after two Thai teens developed infections from them and died.
Despite concerns that faux braces are made with inferior materials and they can harm teeth, gums, lips and surrounding bones, the “fashion braces” movement has spread to other parts of the world. Now, the proliferation of TikTok tutorials showing how to glue or clip on the teeth jewellery is drawing a fresh rebuke from orthodontists. In a July blog post, Dr.
Paul DiFranco reported that the cosmetic brackets and wires could contain toxic chemicals like cadmium or lead, and the adhes.
