By Caroline Jacobson

Basic preventive dental care is available to most Americans, but more complicated procedures can come with a price tag. To compensate for convenience and cost, many Americans are opting for “Do-It-Yourself Dentistry.” Whether through instructional videos or mail-order kits, adults of all ages are trying teeth DIYs.

The truth is that most dental DIYs are downright dangerous. Learn how they can cause complications far more serious than a Pinterest fail.

Braces

DIY braces started with rubber bands, but now mail-order aligners are a multi-million dollar industry . We get how it’s appealing. Braces and their alternatives aren’t as budget-friendly as a clearance coffee table at HomeGoods. Orthodontists are more than experts—they have a deep understanding of the biology of your teeth and the physics of moving them. DIY kits aren’t a substitution for an orthodontist—you can do significant damage trying to move your teeth on your own. The bottom line: On the bad idea scale, mail order braces > mail-order brides.

Bleaching Lights

Blue LED lights work with whitening agents to supposedly speed up the process. Celebrities like Rihanna and Khloe Kardashian use Instagram to promote these at-home kits. Try if you must, but see your dentist for the safer blue light special.

Pulling Teeth

1 in 5 people would rather pull out their own tooth than see a professional. If you don’t think that’s insane, consider this: When Janet Jackson cancelled her Arkansas show last summer , did you take her place? Sorry, Ms. Jackson, but you don’t know how to do dental work either. Bite the bullet and see your dentist. The cost is worth it—a professional will save you money in the long run. Unlike her and MJ’s song—you won’t be a hit—but the pain will make you scream.

Fillings

Marketed as a temporary option, many are opting to utilize dental cement kits as a permanent solution. Skipping the dentist is not wise on this one, as you risk getting a host of problems. However, in a pinch, it’s perfectly permissible to DIY a temporary filling.

People are keeping their natural teeth longer than in previous decades. If you want your smile to succeed into your senior years, leave it to the experts—your dental team.