Don't DIY your dental

Don’t DIY Your Dental: The Risks of At-Home Dental Treatments

 We are sure you have seen the number of at-home dental treatments that are available on the current market or even if you haven’t seen any of the products, you may have seen a video on Tik Tok. These are all DIY dental treatments claiming to be magic fixies but are they all they are cracked up to be?

 In most cases the DIY approach to dental solutions fails to deliver on their promises and they can also pose risk and even long-term damage to your oral health.

 We are going to take a look at some common DIY dental solutions and take you through why, when it comes to your oral health, you should leave it to the professionals.

 Ultrasonic Teeth Cleaning Devices

There is no better feeling than coming into the practice for you half-yearly clean. We remove the plaque, tartar, and leave your teeth feeling brand new! If you try to replicate this in your own home with DIY tools it can result in severe damage to your gums.

 Cheap ultrasonic devices have been known to cause oral health issues such as gum recessions, burns, irritation, and even nerve damage due to their sharp edges, heat and vibrations. If tartar is pushed under the gumline than this can result in infections and long-term dental problems.

 Teeth Whitening products

These products have been made extremely popular by influencers and they come in all shapes and sizes. Think, whitening strips, to UV kits and charcoal toothpaste. These products are all pitched as the number one quick fix to achieve that brilliant white smile you so desperately want.

 However, these non-professional teeth whitening alternatives can expose your teeth and gums to significant damage. This includes burns to the gums from bleaching ingredients, damage to the protective layer of tooth enamel, increased pain and sensitivity, and spotted or patchy teeth due to the uneven spread of bleach.

 Over the Counter Mouthguards

Sports mouthguards are instrumental in protecting your teeth while playing contact sports such as AFL, Rugby, etc. There is a big difference when it comes to the decision to buy a store bought, one-size-fits-all mouthguard, to having one that your dentist has professionally fitted.

 A custom fitted mouthguard will be tailored specifically to you, the shape and size of your mouth. This reduces the risk of the mouthguard falling out, causing irritation to your gums, and providing the protection you need. A cheap mouthguard can use poor quality materials that doesn’t offer the same strength and safety as one made and fitted by your dentists.

 We believe that DIY dental treatment just isn’t worth the risk. If you have any oral health concerns you can give us a call and we are more than happy to help you out and get you in to see one of the team.