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In the past few years we have seen a rise in people taking dental matters into their own hands. Whether it be to file down a sharp edge off a broken tooth or ordering do it yourself clear braces kits online, the rise in DIY dentistry really is alarming.

A recent EU survey revealed an astonishing 1 in 5 people would attempt to remove a tooth either on their own, or with a friend’s help, rather than see a registered dental professional. So it begs us to ask the question, why? Is it the costs associated with certain dental treatments or are people too nervous or embarrassed to visit their local dentist?

Almost half of Europe's population haven’t seen a dentist in the past 2 years, with many deciding instead to undertake risky and difficult dental work, such as improvised fillings, themselves.

Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, warns: ‘DIY dentistry is both dangerous and unnecessary. It is all too easy to make the problem worse, which could result in more invasive and expensive treatment, so I urge those considering self-treatment to think again.’

Research suggests men are twice as likely as their female counterparts to resort to DIY dentistry, presumably because they are less squeamish.

With many online retailers popping up offering "do it yourself" impressions to start orthodontic treatment, the risks associated with this become heightened. Many websites offer a one off payment in return for a full orthodontic treatment plan and clear aligners. It involves taking your own impressions sent to you through the post. Once they have been sent back the client is posted their "orthodontic" aligners which they change themselves every few weeks. The client never meets a dental practitioner throughout the treatment which is very worrying.

If things start to go wrong, there's no one there to turn to. Moving your teeth without correct dental supervision can have dramatic consequences, one of which being the risk of root resorption. This can even lead to the person loosing teeth further down the line.

If you're considering any type of dental treatment, make sure to stick the book on this one and see a well-known registered dental professional. Your teeth will thank you in the long run!