An increasing number of people are resorting to discount and DIY dental treatments in order to save money amid the current turmoil in the financial markets.
According to Dr Prav Solanki, founder of the cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk website, many UK patients are putting their health at risk by choosing to receive dental advice from dubious sources such as YouTube rather than a qualified dentist .
"Our dentists have reported more cases of people turning up with damaged teeth and gums after trying to do their own teeth whitening," commented Dr Solanki.
"YouTube is full of home whitening advice videos, such as people showing how they brush hydrogen peroxide straight onto the teeth . These get a five-star rating but are irresponsible and dangerous," he warned.
The cosmetic dentistry expert said an increasing number of patients seeking expert advice do so in order to fix the damage caused by botched homemade fixes and poor application of over-the-counter treatments .
The credit crunch means people are trying to save money, but you have to draw a line," he added.
"Some over-the-counter products are fine in principle, but without the expert guidance of a dentist, you could be causing damage that will cost you more in the long-run. When it comes to whitening, the message is simple: don't try this at home ."
The Cosmetic Dentistry Guide website offers free advice for anyone considering dental procedures and can also put people in touch with their nearest cosmetic dentist.




