The Dangers of "Do it Yourself" (DIY) Dental Care
Thousands of people every year make the decision to go online for do-it-yourself dental treatments. DIY dentistry is highly dangerous and can be extremely costly. Don’t be fooled by the allure of quick cheap dental care solutions. Here is everything you need to know about the potential complications of DIY dentistry.
There are a few different branches of DIY dentistry. The three most popular types of at home dentistry are:
At Home Retainer Kits
An at-home retainer kit can be ordered online. It can be difficult to properly make the impressions of your teeth necessary to make the retainer. Patients have reported having to send back impressions over and over until the company approved of the impressions. This becomes time-consuming and costly over a long period of time.
A recent DIY straightening trend on the internet is to put plastic rubber bands around your teeth to close gaps. This is extremely dangerous. The rubber bands could work themselves into your gum line and bone causing tooth loss. Repairing these damages can be expensive.
At Home Tooth Whitening
Currently, a popular way to whiten your teeth at home is through the use of activated charcoal pastes. These pastes don’t actually whiten your teeth, they just strip the enamel off your teeth. Aggressive brushing with an activated charcoal paste can also cause gum recession.
A safer way to whiten your teeth at home is through the use of teeth whitening strips. They can be found at your local grocery store and they don’t remove the enamel from your teeth.
However, if you’re seeking a drastic change in the yellow appearance of your teeth you will need to consult with your dentist.
Your smile is the first thing people notice about you. So it is understandable that if you’re unhappy with your smile you’d seek treatments to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. However, DIY options can cause more damage to your teeth worsening the situation instead of improving it. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss the safest and best options available to you to achieve your smile goals.
Want a more beautiful smile? Schedule a consultation today with Dr. Farinas-Han at Smiles by Bergen Dental! Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, and Franklin Lakes.
