Everyone knows how expensive everything is–even things that are essential for your health including going to the dentist. While your insurance may cover two teeth exams and cleanings and x-rays when needed, sometimes getting extra procedures done can cost a lot of money out of pocket. Everything from filling a cavity, getting a root canal and crown, and even having a tooth extracted can be procedures that insurance won’t cover–hence why many people are opting for the do-it-yourself (DIY) dentistry route.
While doing something as simple as using household kitchen items can sound harmless, it can potentially damage your teeth. There are many other extreme forms of DIY dentistry that can maybe seem like a cheaper alternative than going to get your teeth worked on by a professional, but it can have long-lasting and potentially devastating results.
Learn about the new fad, DIY Dentistry, and see what the dental professionals truly think of the repercussions of it!
What is DIY Dentistry? Get Familiar With it and Where its Influence is Coming From
DIY dentistry can have a lot of damaging results for someone’s teeth all in hopes to save a couple bucks!
There’s no doubt that social media plays a huge part in why certain trends, no matter how damaging, become popular. DIY dentistry can be extremely harmful to your teeth and potentially cause issues that can be irreversible. While watching a video online and seeing someone’s results from their DIY dental treatment that turn out fine doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.
The Ins and Outs of DIY Dentistry
Everyone is familiar with DIY projects that can be done in your home, but with the help of social media platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram, DIY dentistry has also become popular. DIY dentistry is the practice of doing at-home treatments for a number of everyday dental procedures all to prevent an expensive bill. These types of DIY dental at-home treatments are not performed with the help of direct supervision and it’s instead when an individual takes the matter into their own hands for good or for worse.
While it can be a cheaper alternative to going to an in-person dental appointment, many dental and orthodontic practices highly advise against this due to the potential irreversible damage that can come as a result of it.
Why is DIY Dentistry Becoming so Popular?
There are a few reasons why DIY dentistry is becoming so popular and the biggest reason is due to social media. The influence that Tik Tok and Instagram users have on these platforms can greatly impact trends–even ones that are misleading and troublesome. Social media users post accessible tutorials for everything from using household items to whiten your teeth to using a spoon to remove braces.
Peer pressure is a huge issue when it comes to social media where seeing the results for one person when it comes to DIY dentistry can have different, and potentially worse results for another. The desire for many to have the perfect smile plays a huge role in this, and many people are looking for easy ways to achieve this with the promise of a quicker and cheaper fix.
Some other reasons that many people are opting for DIY dental treatments at home can also come down to a lack of insurance and the higher cost of living as many people live on tighter budgets and view dental treatment as something that they can sacrifice.
What Types of DIY Dental Treatments are People Doing?
There are a number of DIY dentistry treatments that are trending on social media that people are actively trying out that can potentially harm their teeth, along with their overall oral health. Some of these DIY treatments consist of the following:
- Teeth whitening with the overuse of baking soda, charcoal, or undiluted hydrogen peroxide
- DIY orthodontic braces (3D printed) and other devices to strengthen teeth
- At-home cavity filing kit that allow decay to spread causing further issues
- DIY tooth extractions that can cause infection and soft tooth damage
- DIY removal of braces using a spoon can damage enamel of teeth
Pros and Cons of DIY Dentistry: The Potential “Good” That Can Come Out of the Mess
There are many cons for DIY dentistry, but there could be some pros to doing at-home treatments!
It seems that there are many more cons when it comes to practicing DIY dentistry than there is with taking a trip to your nearby dental practice. It’s important to know the “apparent” pros and cons of DIY dentistry and the risks that come from taking matters into your own hands and potentially sacrificing your oral and dental health for a pretty smile.
“Pro”: Cost Savings
One of the pros that many people love about DIY dentistry is that it helps to save money. While this may be the case, there is also a potential to ruin your teeth in the process. For people who are uninsured or are on a tight budget and know that they need dental work done will result in at-home cavity filling remedies and teeth whitening methods with household products to avoid a costly dental visit.
Con: Irreversible Damage to Teeth and Gums
A huge reason why dentists and orthodontics highly advise against DIY dental treatments is because of the potential irreversible damage that can come as a result. DIY teeth fillings, braces, and even the removal of them can permanently destroy the enamel of your teeth, cause soft tissue damage, and even cause decay to spread and cause an infection to spread quickly.
“Pro”: How Accessible Online Tutorials Are
With the help of the internet, you can pretty much look up anything and get a result. Social media has helped to spread information about DIY dental treatments that are deemed “safe”, but can actually cause irreversible damage that can be more costly than simply going to your dentist. Social media users on Tik Tok and Instagram can easily upload a DIY dental treatment that worked for them, someone can see it, and then try it in their own home with either the same or devastating consequences that aren’t worth the risk.
Con: Conditions of Oral Health Can Worsen Without Dental Supervision
When it comes to any kind of medical or dental condition, there is always the risk of misdiagnosing yourself thinking you have a specific type of issue when it’s actually something else. A reason why DIY dentistry treatments are not a good option is simply because of this reason. Trying out a specific type of DIY dental treatment can result in an infection or it could mask what is actually wrong underneath. It’s always smart to call and request a dental appointment to talk to your dentist if you’re experiencing any type of abnormal pain instead of trying to solve the issue yourself with harmful at-home remedies.
“Pro”: Convenience and Accessible
Another reason why many people are choosing DIY dentistry options instead of seeing their dentist or orthodontist is the fact that they can do everything at home. Being able to try out something in the comfort of your own home without having to worry about the anxiety that some can experience when being in the dental chair is a plus, but it’s not always the way to go. Having the “tools” at home to try out these DIY dentistry procedures and doing it yourself can appeal to many people to do it on their own time without having to worry about traveling and scheduling a dental appointment. It makes it a more convenient and accessible option that many are willing to try.
Con: Damage to Existing Dental Work
DIY dental practices can seem like a simple solution for those looking to achieve the perfect smile, but it can instead damage any existing dental work you have already had done. At-home dental treatments can damage everything from pre-existing fillings, crowns, or braces by potentially ruining these fixtures that can result in costly repairs and replacements.
What the Professionals Think: Dentistry Practices Should Stay in the Dental Chair, Not at Home
While wanting to solve an issue pertaining to your oral and dental health immediately sounds like a good idea, it can have a lot of damaging consequences afterwards–which can in turn be even more expensive. If you’re having any issues with your teeth, it’s important to schedule an exam and consultation with your dentist or orthodontist where they can work with you to set up payment plans or remedies to keep you satisfied with your smile.
If you’re in the Washington, PA area and are interested in an in-person appointment that can provide a ton of insight into the status of your oral health––consider contacting Elizabeth L. Wakim—exceptional smiles start here!
Dr. Elizabeth Wakim, DDS, is the founder of Enhanced Wellness. She’s a compassionate and highly-regarded dentist with her own practice in Washington, Pennsylvania, known for providing modern, comprehensive dental care, botox and facial aesthetics with a focus on patient comfort and anxiety reduction, serving general, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry needs.
