Dentists warn do NOT buy cheap and dangerous ‘DIY braces’

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Dentists warn do NOT buy cheap and dangerous ‘DIY braces’ bought online and sent in the post because they can cause permanent damage

  • ‘DIY braces’ are sent by post after the patient takes a mould of their own teeth
  • They have risen in popularity among adults as a cheaper way to straighten teeth
  • But irreversible damage to the teeth, gums and jaw are a risk, dentists say 

By Vanessa Chalmers Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Dentists have pleaded with consumers not to buy ‘dangerous’ DIY braces online to straighten their teeth.

‘Do-it-yourself’ aligners are sent by post after the patient takes a mould of their own teeth. The whole process doesn’t involve a dental expert.

They have risen in popularity because patients are being ‘lured in’ by cheap prices and the promise of fast results, orthodontists say. 

But irreversible damage to the teeth, gums and jaw are at risk, The Oral Health Foundation and the British Orthodontic Society have warned.

Dentists have pleaded with consumers not to buy ‘dangerous’ DIY braces online (stock)

Recent statistics revealed that adults are increasingly looking for fixes for misaligned teeth, with three quarters of orthodontists reporting a rise in patients.

Concerns have simultaneously risen about ‘direct-to-consumer’ teeth straightening, which skips having to see a dentist.

A kit is sent to a person’s home, where they are given detailed instructions for taking moulds of their teeth with clay.

They send the moulds back, and receive a treatment plan and retainer-like braces a few weeks later.

It may seem like the perfect option for those on a budget, costing a fraction of the service from a professional dentist. 

However, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: ‘The consequences of ill-fitting braces are hefty and can leave a person with permanent damage to their teeth, gums and jaw.

‘Many of these providers lure people in with cheap prices and the promise of fast results. 

EXPERTS WARN OF DIY TEETH WHITENING 

DIY teeth whitening kits have boomed in popularity, but the NHS state that some home kits don’t contain enough whitening product to be effective.

Also, if a dental professional isn’t doing the whitening, the mouthguard provided may not fit properly so some of the bleaching gel may leak out onto the gums and into the mouth, causing blistering and sensitivity.

Teeth whitening carried out in beauty salons by untrained staff or staff without dental qualifications can put oral health at risk and is also illegal.

A study published in the British Dental Journal warned that sodium chlorite, the active ingredient found in three over-the-counter products, could, in the presence of acid, ‘significantly reduce the hardness of the teeth and increase the likeliness for future surface abrasions of the teeth.’

In January, kits sold on Amazon were exposed by the MailOnline to contain sodium perborate, a poisonous chemical that was banned by the EU for cosmetic use for nearly a decade ago after studies have shown it can damage fertility and harm unborn babies.

The British Dentist Association say that some home-kits contain dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide – more than 33 per cent. High level bleaching gels can cause mouth infections, blistering and burns to gums, damage to nerves and tooth enamel, and gum-shrinking.

‘As the demand for adult orthodontics grows, so do the options for patients. We are seeing a growth in online companies offering tooth-straightening treatments at significantly reduced prices. 

‘For many patients, it will feel like a sensible, consumer-savvy choice. But this may not be the case.

‘Straightening teeth is a highly complex medical procedure and should only be carried out by a dentist or orthodontist. These face-to-face appointments are essential.’

Orthodontists and dentists are trained to keep checking the teeth are moving to a healthy position. 

Dr Carter said: ‘Importantly, the dentist will also be able to monitor a person’s progress throughout the course of their treatment and make adjustments to the appliance when needed.

‘By visiting a trained clinician, patients will get a full examination and have a range of different treatment options explained to them.

‘This will put the patient in a great position to get the best results in a safe and effective environment.

‘It will also mean that the treatment is more likely to meet a patient’s expectations.’ 

Professor Jonathan Sandler, President of the British Orthodontic Society, added: ‘In my professional opinion, if you embark on any orthodontic treatment without a suitably trained clinician taking the time to examine you and make appropriate recommendations, you could be in danger of having serious conditions missed, as well as inappropriate and dangerous treatment carried out.

‘What other transforming dental or medical treatment would you undergo, without an in-person evaluation or supervision by a medical professional?

‘For me, one of the issues with “DIY Braces” is that it offers just one narrow solution when there may be a more appropriate one for the patient.

‘The value of informed choice cannot be over-estimated.’

The two organisations have launched Safe Brace – a website where people can go for expert advice on getting braces.