DIY Dental Treatments: Why Your Dentist Says “Don’t Try This at Home”

These days, you can learn just about anything online. From fixing a leaky faucet to baking a three-layer cake, social media makes it look so easy. So, it’s no surprise that DIY dental treatments have become a trending topic too. But here’s the thing: your teeth are not a weekend craft project.

At By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, we’ve seen firsthand the damage that do-it-yourself dental fixes can cause, and trust us, it's not pretty. If you've ever considered trying at-home whitening, a DIY filling, or (gulp) superglue to fix a broken tooth, keep reading. We’re here to explain why it’s best to leave dental work to our dentists and trained dental team.

Why Are People Turning to DIY Dental Fixes?

There are a few common reasons we hear all the time. Some people want to save money, others are anxious about visiting the dental clinic, and then there are those viral videos that make risky procedures look safe and simple, like using activated charcoal for whitening or rubber bands to straighten teeth. It’s easy to get pulled in.

What Can Go Wrong with DIY Dentistry? (Spoiler: A Lot)

Let’s break down some of the most popular at-home dental trends and the real risks behind them.

DIY Teeth Whitening

You’ve probably seen this one online: baking soda and lemon juice, charcoal scrubs, or even hydrogen peroxide rinses. While they might promise a brighter smile, what you’re really doing is weakening your enamel, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. You could end up with extra-sensitive teeth, irritated gums, and uneven results.

Risks:

• Enamel erosion

• Gum irritation

• Uneven or patchy whitening

If you want a whiter smile, our dental clinic offers professional whitening treatments for a genuinely brighter smile. Contact By The Lake Dental and book your appointment to discover the safest and most effective tooth-whitening options tailored to you.

Filling a Cavity Yourself

We’ve heard of people using over-the-counter kits, or worse, household glue to plug a cavity. Yikes. The problem is, cavities don’t just need plugging, they need to be cleaned and sealed properly. Doing it yourself could trap bacteria inside the tooth, making things worse… much worse. We're talking infections, abscesses, and eventually root canals or tooth loss.

Risks:

• Bacterial infections

• Broken or dislodged fillings

• Delayed treatment that leads to root canals or tooth loss

A dental visit to By The Lake Dental to address cavities can save you a world of pain and money in the long run. Book your appointment today!

Supergluing a Broken Tooth

Yes, some people actually do this. No, it’s not safe, not even close. Superglue contains chemicals that shouldn’t go anywhere near your mouth, and it doesn’t bond like dental materials do. Instead of fixing your tooth, you might end up with gum burns, bite issues, and an emergency dental visit you weren’t expecting.

Risks:

• Toxic chemical exposure

• Altered bite and jaw pain

• Increased risk of infection

If you’ve broken a tooth, you should see a dentist as soon as possible to assess the damage and determine the best course of action.

DIY Braces (Please Don’t)

We can’t stress this enough: moving your teeth isn’t something you should DIY. Using rubber bands or 3D-printed aligners at home can shift your teeth too quickly, damaging the roots and bone structure. You could even lose teeth permanently. Real orthodontic treatment involves careful planning, imaging, and supervision from trained dentists and orthodontists. No TikTok tutorial can replace that.

Risks:

• Tooth loss from root damage

• Gum infections

• Irreversible misalignment

If you are considering braces or aligners, By The Lake Dental offers Invisalign and orthodontic treatments tailored to your unique needs. Let our dentist guide this journey. Book a FREE orthodontic assessment today!

Pulling Out Your Own Tooth

It might seem like the quickest way to deal with tooth pain, but pulling a tooth at home is dangerous. You risk heavy bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. Plus, the pain you’re trying to get rid of may be treatable with something less extreme, like a root canal or gum treatment.

Risks:

• Excessive bleeding

• Nerve damage

• Infection

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, book your appointment at By The Lake Dental. Only a professional dental office can evaluate whether extraction is necessary or if the tooth can be saved.

When Should You Visit a Dental Office?

If you’re experiencing ongoing tooth pain, swollen or bleeding gums, temperature sensitivity, or a broken tooth, don’t wait. These are signs that something serious might be going on, and the earlier you get it checked, the easier it is to treat.

At By The Lake Dental, we’re not just a dental office, we’re your partner in oral health. Our goal is to make your visits comfortable, stress-free, and helpful, whether you need a cleaning, a filling, or something more complex.

Why Professional Dental Care Is Always the Better Choice

Dentists spend years in school learning how to safely diagnose and treat dental problems. They’re trained to use sterilized tools, biocompatible materials, and techniques that keep your teeth healthy long-term. Along with that, at By The Lake Dental, we use the most modern technological resources to provide more agility, precision, and safety to our patients during treatment, in addition to reducing or eliminating discomfort resulting from dental procedures.

DIY methods might save you a few bucks upfront, but they often lead to more expensive (and painful) fixes down the road.

A Safe Way to Care for Your Teeth at Home

Not all home care is bad. In fact, we encourage strong daily habits! Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, using mouthwash, and avoiding sugary snacks can go a long way in keeping your smile healthy. But when it comes to treatments, especially anything beyond basic hygiene, please don’t go it alone.

✅ Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste

✅ Floss daily

✅ Use mouthwash

✅ Avoid excess sugar and acidic drinks

✅ Visit By The Lake Dental every 4 to 6 months for regular hygiene and dental check-up

We love that people are taking an interest in their dental health. But when it comes to treating cavities, fixing broken teeth, or straightening your smile, your best bet is always professional care with our dentists.

At By The Lake Dental, your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough, we’re here to keep your smile safe, healthy, and beautiful for life. If you’ve tried a DIY fix or are even thinking about it, give us a call or book your appointment online instead. Together, we will find a solution that works for you.

Why Choose By The Lake Dental:

✅ +10 years caring for our community’s oral health needs

✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office

✅ Direct billing to benefit provider

✅ Cutting-edge technology

✅ Full service family care

✅ Concierge experience

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Call us today: Ajax 905-428-2111, Highland Creek 416-284-8282.

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