Credits: Social Media
People are using ‘slimming wires’ to lose weight but experts warn against extreme method
A new weight loss trend is circling TikTok which involves using an oral contraption called ‘slimming wires’, but experts have warned against the extreme technique.
It’s gone viral on social media as people try to shed a few pounds after Christmas, but it has many health risks and should not be attempted without consulting a doctor.
What are ‘slimming wires’?
Slimming wires, known medically as maxillomandibular fixation, are metal wires that connect your lower and upper jaw bones together, Healthline explains.
Wires are used to clamp the jaw shut, meaning you cannot eat any solid food and can only consume a liquid diet while they are in place.
This procedure is used for a variety of different reasons including healing a broken jaw, correcting a jaw deformity and other dental issues.
In the 1970s and 1980s, jaw wiring grew in popularity as a weight loss technique, and it’s seen a resurgence on TikTok this month.
Weight loss method circles TikTok
People are sharing videos of themselves using the ‘slimming wires’ to try and lose weight and documenting their experience.
Many are sharing daily updates which show how difficult it is to eat and are keeping track of how much weight they have lost.
One viral video shows a woman struggling to eat noodles, while another sees someone showing all their soups and smoothies.
The process involves attaching metal bars to your upper and lower rear teeth that look a bit like traditional�metal braces.
Wires are then attached to each one which stop you from being able to open your mouth wide enough to consume food.
Experts warn against trend
However, experts have warned against the trend which is not only dangerous but also an ineffective way of maintaining weight loss. A study by J S Garrow and G T Gardiner in the National Library of Medicine reveals that when the wires are removed, the weight is usually regained.�
Deanne Jade, founder and principal of the U.K.s National Centre for Eating Disorders, described devices that lock your teeth together as a “a return to the Dark Ages” and told The Washington Post they are “very, very dangerous”.
Any extreme weight loss device – any of these strategies run the risk of harm unless you’re working with someone who is fully trained to deal with all these issues that can arise from it,” she added – and people on TikTok are not qualified to promote such techniques.
A liquid diet runs the risk of not getting all the nutrients your body needs too, which could make you extremely unwell. Plus, ‘slimming wires’ are very bad for your oral health as you can’t brush your teeth properly.
“Having your jaw wired shut is basically making a massive breeding ground for bacteria and the onset of decay,” Halesowen Dental said. “So as dentists, we cannot condone slimming wires. Please be wary whenever looking into a procedure like this.”
The procedure can also make your jaw ache, causing your face to become very tender and painful. If you are seeking weight loss techniques, you should speak to your doctor for guidance.
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