With social media placing added pressure to be camera-ready 24/7, many have turned to veneers as a way to achieve the perfect smile.

But with the price of a full set of veneers ranging anywhere from $7,200 to $20,000, many patients hesitate to even step foot inside a dentist’s office.

Armed with a certificate and the power of low-cost social media marketing, so-called “veneer techs” claim they can deliver the same smile for a fraction of the cost, with some advertising prices starting at only $1,500.

In an age when non-medical estheticians can (legally) perform similar procedures as dermatologists and “lash techs” and “nail techs” promote their services across social media, it’s easy to understand why some may be led to believe that “veneer techs” are a viable option for their aesthetic dental needs. But they’re not.

Check out this example of one of the many complaints on TikTok about the work of veneer techs:

It’s illegal in many states for a veneer tech to install veneers on someone’s teeth. And three dentists HuffPost spoke to warn that getting veneers from a “veneer tech” rather than a qualified dentist can have massive repercussions for your oral health.

“Certificates claiming to qualify individuals as ‘veneer techs’ outside of licensed dentistry should be approached with great caution,” said Dr. Jimmy Londono, a Georgia-based dentist and professor at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. “These certificates likely do not provide the comprehensive training and legal authority necessary to perform dental procedures and are not equivalent to the education required for licensed dentists who provide veneer services.”

While dentists are required to complete at least eight years of rigorous education, pass national board examinations and fulfill state-specific licensing and continuing education requirements, many veneer techs may have only completed a two-day or online training course.

“Anyone can complete a two-day training course that typically costs anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, after which these techs receive certificates of completion. The problem is that these certificates do not certify them to perform dental work,” said Dr. Jodi Danna, a Texas-based dentist and member of the Texas Dental Association Board of Directors. “You have no way of knowing that [veneer techs] have knowledge on proper sterilization techniques, medication management and technique choices.”

Additionally, when you visit a dentist rather than a veneer tech, you can rest assured that they are using the correct tools and materials to craft your new smile.

“Licensed dentists have National Provider Identifiers they use at licensed dental supply stores to buy products and instruments,” Danna said. “However, there are many industries (e.g., nail suppliers, spas) that use similar products like acrylic for their procedures as well. Others buy kits off sites like Amazon and Temu.”

Let this dentist explain it to you herself:

Many veneer techs offer a type of veneer called “non-prep” or “no prep,” where veneers are placed on top of existing teeth rather than having to drill or shave them down. While non-prep veneers seem less invasive than traditional veneers, they still require a dentist’s knowledge and expertise to be done correctly.

“There are very few instances when non-prep veneers can be done,” Londono said. “The skills and expertise of a licensed dentist are crucial for both types to ensure proper fit, function and oral health.”

Dentists not only craft and place veneers, but they are also responsible for determining which teeth can have veneers and which ones shouldn’t.

“Before placing veneers, it’s essential to ensure that the underlying teeth are in good health and free of decay or other dental issues. Placing veneers over cavities or unhealthy teeth can lead to complications and may exacerbate existing dental problems,” said Dr. Ada Cooper, a New York-based dentist and consumer advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association.

“Any dental procedure that alters the physical structure of teeth, gums or jaws, without the supervision of a dentist, has the potential to cause irreversible harm to individuals, who are treated as ‘customers’ rather than patients,” the American Dental Association said in a press release about veneer techs.

According to Danna, the ADA states that risks of seeing an unqualified person for dental work can include infections from devices and adhesives that are not properly sterilized, veneers placed over unhealthy teeth or untreated cavities, nerve damage from improper trimming or filing of the teeth, and even potential choking hazards during the placement of the veneers.

“Without the involvement of a licensed dentist, patients lose an essential quality control checkpoint — their dentist — to ensure all aspects of their treatment are performed and are progressing in the best interests of the patient,” Cooper said.

In addition to the years of education and licensure dentists receive, Cooper and Danna also note that dentists are the only individuals licensed to accept responsibility for patient care.

“The illegal techs can be criminally charged for practicing dentistry without a license, which is a felony in most states, and they could also be subject to a civil lawsuit for assault and battery if the dental work goes wrong and harms a patient,” Danna explained.

“I am especially worried for patients making this choice merely from a financial aspect,” Danna said. “Patients who seek out veneer techs often do so because they are cheaper than dentists.”

Although some may be tempted to see a veneer tech rather than a dentist to save money, they may end up seeing the dentist regardless.

The dentists we spoke to said going to an unqualified individual for dental work such as veneers, even non-prep veneers, can not only lead to poor aesthetics but can also affect the health and function of your teeth. These complications may require intervention by a licensed dentist and can even lead to irreversible damage to the tooth enamel, gums, or nerves — which could mean more money out of your pocket.

“Talk to your dentist if you have concerns about cost. Local dental schools may also offer services at reduced rates, as well as federally qualified health centers,” Cooper said.

If you are unsure whether your provider is qualified, Cooper recommends searching for the provider on the American Association of Dental Boards website to ensure they are licensed to perform dental work.

“I would urge any consumer out there to do your research, make sure that you are not only protecting the investment you are making for your smile but most importantly the decision you are making with relevance to your personal health and welfare,” Danna said.

Let’s be honest: do you even know what a bidet is used for? While bidets are widely seen all around Europe, it’s practically impossible to spot one in the United States. But thanks to brands like Tushy, bidet attachments are becoming more and more popular, thanks to their ease of installation on home toilets.

With a name derived from the French word for “pony” or “little horse,” which refers to the position people take when using it (basically, it’s like straddling a horse), the bidet was first invented in France in the 18th century. Similar in design to a toilet bowl, it’s basically a basin that’s designed to be sat upon (or straddled, depending on what part of your body you want to rinse off) “in order to wash one’s nether regions after toileting,” explained Jo Hayes, an etiquette consultant and the founder of Etiquette Expert. In other words, there’s no need for using toilet paper.

Originally, bidets were built on wooden legs, but today they usually boast a jet stream that hits targeted areas, plus a slew of other technical advancements that have rendered them indispensable, including the installation of faucets, added water pressure, automatic flushing, odor-neutralizing capabilities and more.

According to a survey of American adults conducted by Propeller Insights on behalf of Bio Bidet in 2022, only 12% of Americans “know a lot about” bidets. But bidet users outside the U.S. harbor strong positive feelings.

“Bidet users frequently report a sense of improved hygiene and cleanliness,” explained Dr. Farhan Malik, a health and wellness expert who also focuses on personal hygiene best practices. “Overall, bidet users highlight a refreshed and revitalized feeling after using the device.”

Mostly, Malik said, that feeling stems from the way bidets are constructed and how they are to be utilized.

“The direct application of water for post-toilet cleansing removes residual fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper alone,” he noted. “This can help prevent skin irritation and inflammation in the genital area. The gentle, targeted spray of water also reduces excessive wiping and tugging, which can lead to discomfort.”

Although there is no official or medically suggested way to use bidets, the process involves sitting on top of it or straddling it, and then aiming the water to rinse your nether regions. In some parts of Europe — Italy and France, mainly — at-home bathrooms usually also feature a “bidet towel” that comes handy for drying off post-use, and it’s usually hung on a separate bar next to the bidet and away from hand towels.

“Many people who use bidets consider it a cleaner option than dry toilet paper,” Hayes said.

Conversations regarding the hygienic properties of bidets versus toilet paper have been going on for years.

“The purpose of the bidet was to promote better personal hygiene, as using just dry toilet paper was not considered sufficient cleaning by bidet proponents,” Malik said. “Water washing was thought to be a more thorough method of cleansing after bowel movements or urination.”

When asked which cleansing process he deems to be more sanitary, Malik praises bidets for a slew of reasons: the stream of water washes away fecal matter more effectively than toilet paper by penetrating orifices more easily and it is also a gentler process on the skin.

“The friction and pressure of wiping repeatedly with toilet paper can lead to inflammation, pain and even bleeding,” he said. “The water from a bidet provides a soothing clean without irritation.”

Hayes agrees with that line of thought. “Many Americans consider the bidet unhygienic, but when used properly, it’s generally as hygienic, if not more so, than toilet paper,” she added.

Those who don’t use bidets don’t necessarily disagree with these ideas — they just seem to simply not know much about them. Bidets are, in fact, not a part of American culture — but why?

“The lack of bidet adoption in the United States is an interesting cultural phenomenon that stems from several factors,” Malik noted, pointing out that the habit of using toilet paper is “deeply ingrained” on this side of the Atlantic and that bidets have been historically associated with European cultures and therefore seen as foreign. “Also, the additional cost and plumbing required to install bidets may be prohibitive, especially in older homes.”

According to both experts, many people are also concerned with “splash back” when it comes to bidets — while cleaning yourself off, water might splash on the floor around you or, perhaps, on your shirt — but that’s a problem easily fixed when following proper etiquette.

“There is the potential for ‘splash back’ over and around the bowl, but that would be down to poor bidet use/etiquette, rather than the bowl itself,” Hayes said.

Malik also notes that most bidets do not actually shoot water directly at the user’s body but feature a removable nozzle with adjustable pressure and positioning, which also prevents splash back.

“When I first started recommending bidet toilet seats to clients, many assumed the water would spray everywhere and make a mess,” he remembered. “However, once they tried an adjustable bidet, they were pleasantly surprised by the clean and comfortable experience. Proper education goes a long way toward easing apprehension. Bidets are a simple way to boost hygiene and sustainability.”

Although everyone is entitled to his or her own bathroom routine, perhaps Americans should consider giving bidets a shot. Who wouldn’t appreciate a cleaner, fresher bum, after all?