A Shocking TikTok Trend
Dr. Brett Langston: I saw the craziest thing a patient showed me on TikTok yesterday. You’re not gonna believe the newest trend.
Dr. Rachel Miro: What was it?
Meet the Experts
Dr Brett Langston: Hi, I’m Dr. Brett Langston, a prosthodontist and the owner of Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists in Brookhaven, Georgia.
Dr. Rachel Miro: I’m Dr. Rachel Miro, a dentist here at Dental Implant and Aesthetic Specialists.
The Dangerous DIY Dental Trend
Dr. Brett Langston: You’re not gonna believe this—people are actually recommending, and even attempting, to take rubber bands and put them on their teeth to close gaps.
Dr. Rachel Miro: Why would they do that?
Why Moving Teeth Yourself Is a Bad Idea
Dr. Brett Langston: I guess I understand the motivation to do that, but I think what people don’t understand is the ramifications of moving teeth without a proper plan of action. What you see, you see the teeth above the gum line, but what a lot of people don’t realize is two-thirds of the tooth is anchored in the bone. We have orthodontic colleagues that did two years of extra school just to specialize in moving teeth around in a healthy way, so that you’re setting the mouth up for success.
The Domino Effect of Moving Teeth Incorrectly
Dr. Rachel Miro: Another thing people probably aren’t considering: if you only move two teeth to close a gap without adjusting the rest, then you’re just going to create spaces elsewhere.
Dr. Brett Langston: Exactly. So you eliminate the front space, but now you’ve got spaces over here. And something they don’t consider is if you move teeth around, all of a sudden teeth are gonna start hitting an orientation they’re not used to. And in addition to causing bone loss, causing tooth fracture, you can cause a lot of damage all in a goal just to close an aesthetic gap on the front.
The Right Way to Close a Tooth Gap
Dr. Rachel Miro: Absolutely. I think these patients need to come in and see a dentist and be properly evaluated before they go ahead and try to move their teeth.
Dr. Brett Langston: So if you have a gap or a space that you’re not happy with, give us a call. Come see us. We’d love to talk you through your options.
Modern Orthodontics: Safe, Effective Solutions
Dr. Brett Langston: Orthodontics and tooth movement have come a really long way from the old-school way of metal brackets and bands and “railroad racks” and a whole big mouthful of metal. Now we’ve got some clear aligners, trays you’ve probably seen on TV or seen your friends wear that look just like a little clear retainer, and we can do some amazing stuff. So don’t take this one into your own hands. Please come see us. We’d love to take care of you.
Orthodontics Isn’t Just for Kids
Dr. Rachel Miro: One thing that patients don’t realize is that orthodontics is not just for kids—it’s for older patients too. We have a lot of adults in our practice currently undergoing clear aligner therapy. We’re here to make sure that our patients have the smile that they want.
Tooth Shifting as You Age
Dr. Brett Langston: Yeah. Absolutely. And a lot of times, as we age, we lose some bone, especially in this lower front area. So it’s very common to see those bottom front teeth start to creep in and fold over each other. In addition to being an aesthetic concern, it can also be a functional concern. So orthodontics and tooth movement and tooth rearrangement is definitely not for kids anymore. As you said, we’ve got a lot of patients in their 60s, 70s that are aligning their teeth correctly, and it’s a really neat process to see.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Rachel Miro: If you’re considering closing a gap or adjusting your teeth, don’t take matters into your own hands. Come see us, and we’ll help you find a safe and effective solution.
English 
Spanish