What is DIY dentistry?
Do-it-yourself dentistry is a term coined for when individuals take their dental health needs into their own hands. Whether that be through more normalised at-home treatments like teeth whitening, or more problematic attempts at professional treatments like extracting a loose tooth.
DIY dentistry is commonly attempted because the patient has a fear of the dentist, the convenience of doing it, misinformation online or the concern around the cost. However, short-term solutions like DIY dentistry only leads to long-term dental issues.
What are some examples of DIY dentistry, and the risks associated with them?
As with most dental treatments, some treatments are dangerously done at home, putting the individual’s oral health at risk. Some of the typical DIY dentistry we see done and warn against include:
Teeth whitening: At-home whitening often involves using abrasive and toxic ingredients, i.e. household bleach, or bicarbonate soda solutions.
- Can cause abrasion on the surface of the tooth
- Weakening the enamel
- Chemical burn from exposing the gums and other soft tissue to harsh chemicals
- Dental sensitivity
At-home orthodontics: A growing trend is the no-dentist-needed orthodontic treatments. Assessments should always be carried out through physical examination. A physical examination allows the orthodontist to assess the suitability of the treatment.
If a patient has dental decay, that needs to be properly treated prior to the orthodontic appliance being fixed to the teeth to prevent the decay from spreading and nullifying the treatment.
Tooth extraction: Adult teeth should not be removed at home. Pulling out a wobbly tooth as an adult is not advised for safety and sanitary reasons.
- If improperly pulled out and the tooth breaks off, it poses serious issues around infection and the individual’s general comfort.
- Unmanaged pain due to the lack of anaesthetics and medication.
- An increased risk of damaging the soft tissue and bone structure where the tooth was positioned.
- In some cases, a loose adult tooth may still be saveable if the underlying cause is identified and properly treated with a dental professional.
Replacing fillings: Whilst replacement filler kits can be used as a temporary fix until your dentist can fix or replace your filling, it’s incredibly unsafe to leave a broken filling.
An at-home filling fixing kit does not clean the decay or surface of the tooth, which can lead to the tooth rotting more, ultimately increasing the risk of needing to perform invasive restorative treatments or a dental extraction.
Fixing a dental break: Patients should not try to fix a broken/ chipped tooth with any type of glue- it’s unsafe for consumption and an ineffective way to “fix” the tooth.
Depending on the severity and placement of the break, the overall impact will vary on the patient. It’s very likely that untreated dental fractures expose the most sensitive parts of the tooth, increasing the likelihood of sensitivity and decay.
Various DIY treatments can cause serious health complications if attempted to be fixed at home by the patient using products that aren’t mouth safe.
Avoid DIY dentistry; instead, opt for professional treatment.
Whilst it can be tempting to fix any dental concerns at home, the risk far outweighs any of the convenience or savings. Visiting a qualified dental professional ensures not only your immediate safety but also the long-term health of your gums and teeth. When it comes to your smile, professional help is always the best choice.