Do Yourself a Favor and Don’t “Do it Yourself Braces”
By Alan D. Shoopak, D.M.D.
You read that correctly. There are companies out there that are selling products and services that enable unsuspecting patients to “Do it Yourself” or “DIY” braces at home. As a medical professional with over 30-year years of practice experience, let me be very specific as to WHY this DIY is a very, very bad idea. In a day when apps seem to fix everything with a touch of a smartphone, straightening teeth is not something you want take lightly. There is a reason the average Orthodontist has over 10 years of education and training, in addition to multiple years of real-patient practice. Straightening teeth safely, correctly and effectively takes a special professional—your neighborhood Orthodontist.
Dr. Shoopak’s Reasons Why DIY Braces is a bad idea:
-If you move teeth inappropriately you can severely damage the bone and soft tissue that can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
-Your home space is not regulated by the Department of Health, nor equipped and maintained by trained medical professionals and technicians to perform the necessary procedures.
-By law, Certified Orthodontic Technicians aren’t even allowed to place Orthodontic brackets into your mouth without direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
-Without proper training and real world experience the impression material can be aspirated into the lungs and be lethal.
-The molds needed to determine what adjustments your teeth might need with the use of braces, wires etc. are only “usable” if they obtain all of the soft tissue and teeth surfaces. Only a trained technician would know what a proper and “usable” impression is.
-Bad impressions could lead to improvements that will cause an irregular bite, and result in irregular or “uneven wearing of teeth”. This can also affect speech and chewing.
If you want your best smile at an affordable price with care provided by an experienced specialist, click the schedule consultation link in the upper left hand corner of the screen to come in for a free consultation.
The idea for Earth Day originally came from Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin Senator, following the massive oil spill of 1969 in Santa Barbara, California and the environmental havoc it wreaked. Filled with inspiration by the anti-war movement started by students, Senator Nelson believed that if he could combine the people’s energy with the country’s growing awareness of water pollution, air pollution and other environmental concerns, protecting our environment could be driven into the political spotlight. The Senator later announced his idea for a nationwide teach-in to educate people about the environment in the form of rallies across the country. Thousands of universities and colleges began protesting against environmental destruction. People all over the United States who had been protesting and raising awareness of industrial pollution, oil spills, air and water pollution, pesticides, toxic waste, sewage and habitat loss understood that they all had the same common goal: Safeguarding the Earth against man’s onslaught and preserving it for future generations.
Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month?
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness of the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
This year’s NCDHM campaign slogan “Defeat Monster Mouth” is displayed on the eye-catching posters that feature the McGrinn Twins, Flossy and Buck, along with their best friends and next-door neighbors, Den and Gen Smiley and K-9 the dog. They are fighting to defeat Plaqster the Monster for good oral health. The preteen/teenager’s message is about defeating monster mouth and maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating healthy snacks.
