As the popularity of cosmetic dentistry procedures continues to rise, many people are deciding to forego the expert care of dentists and are instead turning to TikTok for advice and products.
#DIYDentist has more than 3.1 million views on TikTok with just some of the bizarre trends behind the hashtag including shaving teeth with nail file to repair uneven or chipped teeth, using rubber bands to create makeshift braces to close gaps, and even using spoons or other household items to take braces off. The app has also increased the appeal of at-home veneer kits.
Paste Dental
Dr Alan Clarke, Clinical Director at Paste Dental in Belfast said that people don’t realise the long-term damage that DIY dentistry causes. He warns that whilst saving money might seem like a good idea, people endure more financial strain in the long run as complications occur.
Alan said: “Aesthetic dentistry is a wonderful thing that can boost a persons’ self-esteem and confidence; however, DIY methods can be dangerous, potentially toxic and a significant risk to your health. we hate to see the damage that you can cause due to minimal knowledge and desperation, it is so important that you consult a registered professional to have safe dental treatment planning and care.”
In Belfast, if Paste’s sales performance is anything to go by, the most popular cosmetic treatments are Invisalign, whitening and bonding, and minimal-perp porcelain veneers. And whilst cosmetics are an exciting area of dentistry that help patients with self-confidence, Alan is also concerned about the number of people travelling abroad for veneers, something he thinks is also fuelled by social media.
Alan continued: “People travelling abroad don’t realise that there is a 17 per cent risk of complications, compared to the UK’s risk rate of just 2 per cent. Since opening our doors in 2020, we’ve cared for hundreds of people from across Northern Ireland all of whom have travelled abroad for and received botch treatments from under-qualified dentists.
“There is now a generation of younger dental patients that have grown up entirely in the digital era and social media has left them exposed to pressure to have the perfect smile. As dentists, we need to be aware of these issues in order to help people avoid these dangerous trends to help to safeguard their longer-term dental and emotional health.”
Alan has a wealth of experience from cities renowned for dental care having studied in both London and Abu Dhabi, before training at the prestigious Spear Educational Dental School in Arizona.
He returned from the US to establish Paste in Belfast back in 2020, which is a full-service practice offering emergency, restorative, cosmetic and general procedures.
To find out more and to book a consultation, visit pastedental.co.uk.
