Straightening your teeth has never been known to be comfortable or convenient, which is what gave bloggers and social media influencers the idea to save money and simply give themselves orthodontic treatments. Even though forging an appliance out of paperclips, super glue, and other household items may be the cheaper treatment, it can cause huge problems for your smile down the road. Read on to learn six reasons why it’s smarter to leave your orthodontic treatment to your dentist instead of attempting to do it yourself.

You visit your dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning; surely that’s enough to help your smile last, right? Wrong. As important as these visits are, they won’t be enough to keep your teeth and gums healthy if you’re not taking care of your mouth in the meantime. If you don’t want to become one of the thousands of Americans who suffer from gum disease and lost teeth, take control of your oral health today with these 3 clean teeth habits.