The Myth of Do It Yourself Dentistry
‘DIY’ tasks certainly instill a certain amount of confidence in any individual. Taking a task that otherwise could be handled by a paid professional and resolving it correctly on your own can certainly be empowering. With the rise in popularity of YouTube, many once difficult tasks have gone from being things you hire a specialist for, to things you simply handle yourself. Beyond the empowering nature of learning to do something yourself is also the added benefit of saving money hand over fist. However, like anything else, there are limits and there is no such thing as safe do it yourself dentistry.
Fixing a taillight on a car, with proper instruction, can potentially be handled by an amateur rather than a mechanic. Changing out a transmission, however, is another task altogether. Similarly, when it comes to dentistry, watching a video that discusses fixing a broken crown without professional assistance is like trying to fix a blown engine with no auto experience whatsoever. If you can even get the car to start without hurting yourself, the vehicle is likely to pose a danger to the driver. This is why there is no safe do it yourself dentistry. Unfortunately, this is a trend that is on the rise. It does not come without consequence.
Do It Yourself Dentistry Risks
Some of the videos are more shocking than others. What may even seem like decent work to an amateur is often a horrifying failure in the eyes of a trained professional. There are some videos that even advise individuals on how to remove teeth that are causing pain with pliers.
Often the individuals in the video will exclaim that the pain is gone and the procedure went just fine without dentist involvement. Close inspection of the video, however, shows that the entirety of the tooth has not been removed. Along with the root, teeth can be quite long. These individuals have essentially broken off half the tooth, leaving the remainder more difficult to remove and open to infection, causing more pain, oral health problems, and higher dental bills.
Trying to replace missing fillings or crowns can cause similar issues. One method recommends using super glue. Not only is this not adequate in resolving the problem, but it makes it more difficult for a professional dentist to treat it later. Now they have to resolve to remove strong adhesive from your mouth in addition to resolving your dental problem!
Steps to Take in an Emergency
DIY dentistry is always a no-go, but in the event of an emergency, there are some things you can do. First, understand that offices like City Dental Centers will treat an emergency the same day. If your emergency happens outside of office hours, there are still other options. There are over-the-counter dental repair kits that you can find at your local drugstore. They are NOT permanent fixes and you must visit a dentist as soon as possible.
Before you begin using the kit, ensure that you clean the affected area with mild warm salt water to remove any debris. Depending on the severity of the emergency, using a toothbrush may or may not be recommended. Read the instructions on the kit carefully, rather than resorting to YouTube, get through the night, and see a dentist as soon as possible the following morning.
Understanding why YouTube is not the best resource for dental help is really just common sense. Professional dentists would have nothing to gain from trying to show you how to resolve dental issues on your own. Quite the contrary, as they have everything to lose. There is no safe way to treat yourself without a license in dentistry. Advising otherwise would simply put their license on the line. As such, the only individuals providing advice on YouTube are amateurs who decided to put their oral health at risk. Unfortunately in choosing to put such advice online, they are putting your health at risk as well. Do not take their advice! In the event of an emergency, seek out a trained dentist to resolve your concerns.
City Dental Centers is Here for You
City Dental Centers takes emergency care seriously. As mentioned previously, in the event of a dental emergency their doctors will see you the same day. Don’t put your oral health at risk! If you have an emergency dental concern, contact City Dental Centers immediately!
City Dental Centers is a standout dental practice that cares for its patients and treats them like family. If you’re a patient at City Dental Centers, you’ll know the difference right away in terms of patient care, professionalism, and comfort in dental proceedings. We make emergencies a priority and will see a patient with an emergency the same day.
Patients come to City Dental Centers for a reason. We set the bar high for what anyone could ever expect of a dental practice and we seek to be the best each and every time you schedule a visit at any of our four conveniently located Southern California locations.
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
There’s no need to consider do it yourself dentistry when you’ve got Cidty Dental Centers. Doctor Sam Shahovesi his team are here to provide our patients the best dental services and for children & adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California.
Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!