You can find lots of things online, including how-to guides and tutorials. But some tutorials or how-to videos are better than others. In fact, some of the information you or your teen might come across on the internet can be downright dangerous. Take the recent trend that encourages teens to take their orthodontic care into their own hands: numerous videos feature teens who have reportedly closed spaces between their teeth using what's known as a gap band.
The trouble is, gap bands and other risky do-it-yourself (DIY) orthodontic treatments will likely do more harm than good in the long run. No matter what condition your teen's teeth are in, it's a good idea to talk with them about the dangers of gap bands.