DIY Dentistry

The Dangers of DIY Dentistry
Posted on 08/13/2019
DIY Dentistry

In the last several years we have seen a sharp increase in the number of at-home, do-it-yourself, and direct to consumer dental products and services.  Companies selling these products often offer low prices, flashy marketing, and huge promises.  And while there may be a temptation to experiment with these products, the reality is that the results are often underwhelming and can even be dangerous to your dental health. 

It is the opinion of this practice that DIY dentistry should be avoided.  We have seen numerous patients through the years who try to save a visit to the dental office by performing their own dental work – anything from diagnosing their own problems, to self-medicating, even going as far as attempting their own extractions!  These situations rarely work out well for the patient, and often lead to far more discomfort, expense, and time spent correcting the problem.

Take for instance the young lady from Scotland pictured above – she purchased instant veneers online and, well, we can all see the results.  She was good natured about it, taking to Twitter to poke fun at herself.  She even compared herself to a member of the “Potato Head” family (we give her bonus points for accuracy).  The bottom line is that these products are out there, whether they should be or not.

So here is some advice we can offer based on the most common things we see in our office:

  • If you find dental advice on Facebook…please don’t use it.
  • If you’re considering purchasing oral care products online…please be careful
  • Want straighter teeth?…we recommend you only see a qualified orthodontist.
  • Charcoal whitening products?…research shows they don’t work.  Read the article here
  • Oil pulling?...not recommended.  Read more about it here.

And above all else - If you have questions about your oral health, PLEASE ask us- that’s what we’re here for!