Parents warned over 'dangerous' teen trend that can lead to tooth loss

It's important to be wary when taking medical advice on social media – an dental expert has warned that viral dental hacks like DIY braces and tooth‑filing are sending teens to orthodontists with serious damage.

Dr Chris Freeman, from Freeman Orthodontics warned: “We’re seeing everything from DIY aligners to tooth filing—and the consequences are severe: irreversible tooth loss, infections, and deep bone damage.”

It's clear the consequences of following these hacks can be severe. But which ones should you take extra care to avoid and why? To help you and your teens stay safe, Dr Freeman breaks down the most dangerous social media orthodontic trends and explains the risks involved.

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Gluing brackets at home

Teens are ordering braces online and bonding them with household glue in a social media trend. However, this can risk cutting off blood flow to the tooth, result in root damage, or even tooth loss.

Dr Freeman advises: “Always have brackets bonded professionally with safe, medical‑grade materials.”

Removing braces at home

In this risky DIY trend, teens are attempting to remove their braces using pliers. However, this can rip your enamel, damage nerves, or cause teeth to shift dramatically out of place.

Dr Freeman advises: “Never attempt to remove braces yourself. Always have your orthodontist adjust or remove them professionally.”

Using rubber bands to close gaps

This trend sees teens wrapping small rubber bands around their teeth to close gaps. However, there is a risk that rubber bands can slip under the gums, damaging the bone structure and potentially causing tooth loss.

Dr Freeman says: “Always let a professional supervise any adjustments to avoid bone damage.”

DIY clear aligners and 3D printing

Some teens attempt to mould or 3D-print their own aligners after watching online tutorials. This can be dangerous, however, as without proper scans, X-rays and expert supervision, teeth could shift in the wrong direction, leading to serious misalignment and jaw issues.

Dr Chris Freeman: “Safe clear aligner treatments require a licensed provider’s plan, scans, and regular check-ups.”

Filing down teeth

Viral videos have shown teens using nail files to shave their teeth, thinking it’ll “make room.” The risk comes from over-filing, which can expose nerves, weaken teeth and permanently alter their shape.

Dr Freeman warns: “Only a dentist or orthodontist should reshape enamel – and only when absolutely necessary for your dental health.”

He adds: "Braces and aligners do more than straighten your smile – they protect your bite, jaw, and long-term dental health. Relying on viral DIY hacks can set treatment back by years and cost thousands to fix. If you’re ever tempted by a viral hack, talk to your orthodontist first."