Dentists: ‘Ban DIY braces videos’

DENTISTS have issued a warning about ‘‘do-it-yourself braces’’ tutorials posted on Youtube, with fears that children are causing permanent damage to their teeth in pursuit of perfect “Love Island smiles”.

Eddie Crouch, vice-chairman of the British Dental Association, warned that poorly applied braces can cause a child’s teeth to fall out. Some of the videos have racked up hundreds of thousands of views online.

Mr Crouch said that Youtube has a social obligation to remove the tutorials: “If this was any other sort of practice that was potentially mutilating or causing serious health issues, then that obligation would be there.”