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Should People With Braces Lock Lips Or Not?

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By MARY SHEDDEN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

Love is in the air this time of year, even for some of the 5 million American children, teens and adults wearing braces.

The American Association of Orthodontists wants these folks to enjoy puckering up on Valentine's Day, saying legends about two sets of braces locking up during make-out sessions are urban myths.

Braces today are smaller and sleeker, making it extremely difficult and almost impossible to lock braces while kissing, the association says. Also, braces are not magnetic.

This myth is far from alone. It seems braces "attract" a lot of outrageous ideas, including the idea that wearers will set off airport metal detectors, trigger electronic devices or rust. For the record, most braces today are made with titanium alloy and won't react like the old music-playing contraptions worn by Laurie Partridge and millions of other angst-filled teens.

The orthodontists and their friends over at the American Dental Association do make one suggestion that puts the kibosh on young lovers. They suggest that anyone involved in physical activity like sports should wear a mouth guard. It saves teeth and braces, but also reduces the chance of jaw fractures. The ADA promotes this and other oral health tips as part of February's National Children's Dental Health Month.

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