Recently, teenagers and some young people have been adopting a new trend of colorful self-applied fashion braces that they change to match their outfits.

However, despite the appeal of these braces as a fashion statement, oral health experts warn that they can be harmful to oral health and may lead to issues such as bad breath, teeth misalignment, and even serious conditions like liver damage and cancer.

Although fashion braces may seem like a stylish choice or a cheaper alternative to professional orthodontic treatment, they lack the necessary therapeutic benefits and can have severe consequences for one’s health.

Wakadaily discovered that, The use of fashion braces can potentially result in mouth lead poisoning, as highlighted by experts.

While professional braces, fitted by orthodontists, have successfully helped many people achieve straight and healthy smiles over the years, fake braces lack the expertise and precision needed to safely move teeth. These decorative braces, often used as a status symbol on social media, can cause harm to the teeth and jaws.

It has been observed that users, especially females, often choose to match their fashion braces with different colors to suit their outfits. Many individuals who opt for fashion braces are influenced by social media trends and believe that these braces will not harm their teeth as they are not real orthodontic braces.

Some users have been reported to use unhealthy materials such as “super glue” to attach the braces to their teeth. This trend is not limited to Nigeria, as evidenced by its popularity among young Americans as well.

Fashion braces kits are available online and include brackets, wires, and adhesive for attachment. However, these kits pose risks such as uncontrolled tooth movement, lead or cadmium poisoning, choking, and oral infections.

Orthodontists, who are specialists in teeth and jaw alignment, use fixed and removable devices like braces to correct misalignments. Fashion braces, on the other hand, do not contribute to dental improvement and can lead to issues like loose teeth, mouth odour, and potential long-term health risks.

Wakadaily discovered that, Experts like Dr. Tolulase Yemitan from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital caution against the use of fashion braces, emphasizing that they do not serve the same function as therapeutic orthodontic braces and can result in mouth odour, infection, and choking due to improper fitting.

She stated, “Choking hazards can occur because they are not fitted by people who are trained to fix them. So, whoever is wearing it while asleep runs a risk of the braces dislodging into the mouth and getting into the throat, causing choking.

“Also, because the materials used in making them are cheap, this can lead to toxicity and poisoning from the rubber used in making the materials. Orthodontic braces can have side effects like mouth sores and users are monitored but because those who wear fashion braces are not monitored, they can have mouth sores leading to an infection that can spread to any part of their body.

“It can also cause bad breath. The braces have wires so it can shift their teeth and make them crooked.”

The adhesives used to attach fashion braces to teeth, which are often cheap and not applied by professionals, can increase the risk of tooth decay, discoloration of the enamel, and even permanent tooth loss.

“The infection or oral diseases they are at risk of include, damage to the teeth, which can cause dental cavities; damage to the gum, causing inflammation of the gum and tooth-supporting structures, which we call gingivitis and periodontitis, and this will cause mobility of the teeth, swollen gum and eventual loss of the teeth.

“There can be damage to their lips and cheeks, which might develop into sores or ulcerations.

“Damage to the supporting bones will cause bone loss and once the bone is lost around the teeth, it would cause mobility of the teeth and this will eventually make the teeth lose,” the consultant orthodontist stated.

The dentist pointed out that fashion braces contain harmful and toxic metals like lead and cadmium, which are not found in traditional orthodontic braces.

She cautioned that there have been instances of fashion braces releasing cadmium at levels that can cause liver damage and cancer.

The dentist emphasized that professional orthodontic braces are the safe and effective solution for correcting teeth and jaw alignment issues.

She advised, “The recommendation is for children between seven and eight years to have their first orthodontic visits those that are dental specialists known to diagnose and treat such cases. There, they would be advised on whether there is a need for braces and what type of braces is best for them.

“Meanwhile, if they miss it at that age, adults can also visit the orthodontist where they will be diagnosed on whether or not they need to have braces and they will be advised on the best and appropriate treatment.”

According to the orthodontist, the only way to get colorful braces safely and without putting your oral health at risk is through specialized orthodontic services provided by trained experts in the field.

“If there is anyone considering such braces, we recommend visiting a Nigerian certified orthodontist who can provide them with tailored recommendations and plenty of colours to choose from, to help them to fulfil their aesthetic needs and achieve a healthy smile,” she stated.

Dr. Kolawole Obagbemiro, a specialist in Restorative and Dental Implantology, warned that fashion braces can lead to unwanted tooth movement and bad breath.

He also expressed concern about the use of harmful adhesives to attach the brackets to teeth, which can cause damage to both teeth and gums.

As the former President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Obagbemiro emphasized the importance of prioritizing oral health and avoiding risky fashion trends.

Association mentioned, “They are also at risk of caries formation because those who fix the braces are not specialists, so they don’t give their clients the needed maintenance instructions. Essentially, the users are at risk of unwanted tooth movement, trauma in the mouth, damage to the teeth, infections and mouth odour