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Homemade Braces?

Metal braces, or just wrap a hair band around your teeth?

Aug 26, 2015

West Virginia University

37

Homemade Braces?

Ever hated how your teeth look? Want braces but don't want to pay the crazy prices? Easy fix: wrap a rubber band around your teeth, and pray for the best!

A new trend is happening online that has orthodontists freaking out; homemade braces. The trend started back in 2012 when a girl named Shalom DeSota posted a video of her making her own braces. She titled the video "Cheap easy braces!! Without going to the dentist!!" Whoever would try this technique is beyond me!

The video starts out with DeSota explaining to her viewers how she used to have a big gap in her teeth and was really self-concious, but her family didn't have money for braces. You can see in the video she doesn't have a gap anymore, so her DIY braces were clearly a success.

The rest of the video is pretty much DeSota recommending hair elastics that will work for this, and how she does it. Basically, she cuts the rubber band in half and ties it around the teeth she wants to be closer together, then leaves the band there for an extended period of time. DeSota recommends three weeks.

"It's going to hurt a lot for the first few days, like really bad. But don't give up, because it's totally worth it in the end," DeSota encourages her viewers who are trying her method during the last few minutes of her video.

Although the 'braces' worked for DeSota, orthodontists such as Dr. Christina Carter are cringing at this video. Carter claims that even though rubber bands aren't exactly dangerous, they could easily slide up the teeth and cut all the attachments to it, which could result in tooth loss. DeSota is extremely lucky nothing like that happened to her.

Even though the video was originally posted in 2012, orthodontists say that the trend has 'gone viral,' and has been becoming increasingly more popular among teens. The original video has over 600,000 views.

So what do you guys think? Could DIY braces be the next big thing? Or should teens just leave their dental health in the hands of their parents and orthodontists? From personal experience, I wouldn't wish braces on anyone! Worst years of my life.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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