The dangers of at-home teeth aligners

In recent years, we have witnessed the rise of ‘’DIY dentistry’’. One such example is “invisible” orthodontic treatments. These used to only be available to qualified orthodontists, but are now accessible for everyone.

At-home teeth aligners are very popular because they are the cheaper alternative to invisalign and are less hassle than braces, not to mention a whole lot cheaper. However, they don’t come without their problems. Read on to learn all of the potential risks that at-home aligners can bring before you order yours.

How do they work?

The process of at-home aligners is actually very similar to the professional invisalign that you would get with a dentist. The first thing you need to do is to take a mould of your teeth to determine the shape of your aligners. You then need to send this mould off to a lab where your aligners will be created and sent back to you with a treatment plan. So, what’s the problem?

No Consultation

When you receive treatment from an orthodontist, you’re getting a personal touch and complete attention. You will receive a full consultation and all of the advice that you could ever ask for. However, at-home aligner treatments lack all of these important factors. What’s worse is that you also won’t have any mid-treatment consultations or follow-up appointments when your treatment is complete – meaning you’ll miss out on any support you might need after the treatment.

Inaccurate Fit

Receiving your aligners in the post means you don’t get to try them on before beginning your treatment, so you run the risk of wearing braces that don’t fit your teeth properly. This can lead to a lot of pain and discomfort, and could even mean that, without a dental professional to assess the fit, your aligners might not work effectively.

Not Always Cost-Effective

The most attractive thing about at-home aligners is the low cost. However, if it all goes wrong and you end up causing yourself harm, visiting an orthodontist will incur more costs further down the line.

Risk of Damage

Orthodontists are extremely experienced professionals, so why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of their knowledge and expertise? It’s so important to seek help and advice before undergoing treatment. Without the supervision of an orthodontist, there’s a chance you might accidentally harm your gums and even lose teeth.

After consulting your dentist, Floe is here to help.

Before you decide on any type of orthodontic treatment, it’s essential that you have a strong foundation first. Healthy gums are the foundation of everything. You should always thoroughly research each of your options to ensure you choose the option best suited to your needs.

Here at Floe, we’re guided by dentists. Their recommendations are the foundations of our products and we’re dedicated to making Floe the best way to take care of your mouth every day. We believe the secret to a happy and healthy mouth starts with finding the right products.

That’s why our oral care subscription box has everything you need for the perfect routine:

• Dawn toothpaste – designed for morning brightening using natural ingredients that are kind to your enamel.
• Dusk toothpaste – suited to the needs of your mouth in the evening.
• A brand new Curaprox brush -with over 5000 soft bristles, it’s easy to remove plaque more effectively.
• Activated charcoal natural floss – made from bamboo charcoal fibres – it’s effective flossing at a price that doesn’t cost the earth.

A solid oral care regime is the foundation of a healthy mouth. So whether you’re interested in new treatment or not, subscribe to Floe today!