Many people are afraid of the dentist or may struggle to be able to afford regular dental cleanings. As such, they may try to DIY a professional dental cleaning in order to cut costs and save themselves stress. However, dentistry is a specialized field of medicine, and just like any other medical procedure, attempting to DIY a professional dental cleaning can do far more harm than good.
Just Because You Can Buy It Doesn’t Mean You Should Use It
If you shouldn’t DIY a professional dental cleaning, then why can you buy scaling tools at the store?
Since you can purchase DIY cleaning kits that include scaling instruments, you may assume that there’s nothing wrong with doing your own dental cleaning. After all, one of these DIY kits is much cheaper than going to the dentist tends to be. As such, you may assume that with some learning, you’ve struck gold and will be able to save a lot of money in the long run.
In truth, it’s the opposite. Most DIY projects like this end up causing you a significant amount of money and pain in the long run in order to repair the damage done by inexperienced, unqualified hands. In order to keep your mouth in the best shape possible, you will need to go to your regular dental cleanings.
The tools used in dental cleanings are sharp, and you could easily take out a chunk of your gums or cause other oral health problems by using them incorrectly. Dental professionals undergo years of specialized training in order to take care of your oral health. Dental cleanings aren’t something you can teach yourself how to do by following along with a TikTok or YouTube video.
No reputable dentist would ever recommend attempting to DIY a professional dental cleaning.
Not Even Dentists DIY Their Own Dental Cleanings
If you’re asking whether or not you can DIY a professional dental cleaning, the fact that even dentists don’t take scaling instruments to their own teeth should tip you off to the fact that this is a major no-no.
Even someone who has undergone years of training and has extensive experience cannot properly clean their own teeth like this. Brush, floss, use mouthwash, sure. However, even dental professionals make appointments to have their teeth professionally cleaned. This is in order to ensure that it is done correctly.
What Are The Dangers Of DIY Dental Cleanings?
You could do serious damage to your oral health by trying to DIY a professional dental cleaning. Your heart may be in the right place: you want to take care of your teeth by removing tartar buildup. That’s good! However, this is always something that must be done by a licensed dental professional.
Some of the dangers of DIY dental cleanings include:
- Damaging the tooth surface with the sharp instruments.
- Infection from cuts and accidentally pushing tartar and plaque into or under your gum tissue.
- Gum recession and other gum tissue trauma.
- Soft tissue injury, such as to your gum tissue, your tongue, and your cheeks.
- Ineffective cleaning, especially in teeth other than your front teeth.
Plus, you need to go to the dentist on a regular basis so that they can catch any problems before they have the chance to escalate. Many people don’t even know that they have cavities or gum disease. It’s crucial to catch these things early while it is easier to treat them. If they were allowed to escalate, you could end up losing a tooth.
The Best Way To Clean Your Teeth At Home
… is to follow your dentist’s instructions! This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and going to your regular dental cleanings. Mouthwash doesn’t hurt either. Most people need to have their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year, but this can vary depending on your circumstances.
It’s always best to discuss your needs with your dentist, as they will be able to provide you with expert recommendations for your unique needs.
What If Cost Is A Concern?
Here in the United States, everything medical tends to be expensive, dentistry included. As such, people may try to DIY a professional dental cleaning because they worry about affording professional care.
If your insurance does not include dental care or you do not have dental insurance, many dentists provide financing options. It’s always cheaper to prevent dental problems than to try to treat one that has escalated, so while it may not seem like it, going to regular dental cleanings can save you money in the long run by preventing serious oral health issues.
Here at Avenues Dentistry, we understand that cost can be a significant concern for many people. We firmly believe that everyone should be able to access dental care, which is why we offer financing and payment options. We occasionally do special offers on dental treatments too. Contact us today to learn more about our financing options or to make an appointment for your dental cleaning today!
