Some TikTok trends are harmless; others are downright dangerous. As health professionals, we dentists worry about the impact that viral videos can have on our patients’ oral health. That’s why we think it’s time we did some myth-busting. Today, we’ll go over five TikTok dental trends we’ve noticed over the last few years and what makes each of them so risky.
1. DIY Orthodontics
If we tried to keep track of every TikTok video we’ve seen promoting DIY orthodontics, we’re sure the number would be in the hundreds by now. The people making these clips claim to have fixed orthodontic issues like gapped teeth, crooked teeth, and even over- and underbiteswith common household items like rubber bands, dental floss, and paper clips.
While it’s true that these materials are somewhat similar to the stuff dentists and orthodontists use to move teeth, that doesn’t mean that it’s safe to try to move your teeth around on your own. Adjusting the position of teeth is an extremely delicate process that requires careful planning and professional judgement. You could tip your other teeth out of place, create new problems with your bite, cause severe gum recession, or even pull a tooth right out of your mouth.
Never try to move your teeth with anything other than plastic aligner trays given to you by your dentist or orthodontist. We know what’s safe to move, how much force will get the job done safely, and how to correct any problems that might crop up.
2. Snap-On Veneers
Have you seen influencers showing off “before” and “after” shots of themselves with snap-on veneers over their teeth? Unlike the DIY trends on this list, these videos tend to be created or promoted by the companies making the veneers.
There’s no guarantee that they’ll look as good as what’s shown on social media – the company has every reason to distort the truth a bit, after all. More importantly, though, wearing these veneers can be dangerous for your oral health.
Since they’re not custom-fitted to your teeth and have no glue keeping them in place, it’s easy for food particles to get trapped between snap-on veneers and the surface of your teeth. Over time, this trapped food gets broken down by the bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay. Snap-on veneers can also crack teeth or scrape off tooth enamel around their contact points.
3. Any Whitening Hacks
From charcoal and lemon juice to baking soda and peroxide, there are more teeth whitening hacks on TikTok than you can shake a stick at. Unfortunately, none of them are safe to use.
Acidic bleaching agents like lemon juice and peroxide may lift some surface stains if you let them sit on your teeth long enough, but they’ll also damage your enamel and irritate your gums if you overdo it. It’s very difficult to get the measurements, application, and timing within safe parameters when you’re not an expert. Stick to over-the-counter whitening treatments (used as directed) or ask your dentist for an in-office whitening treatment instead.
4. Tooth Filing
On paper, using a nail file on your teeth sounds like a convenient way to make some quick adjustments to your smile. Just a few minutes with a file and a mirror and you’re done, right?
Wrong. Filing tooth enamel is very different from filing nails. For one, enamel doesn’t grow back! It’s easy to get carried away and accidentally file off more than you mean to, and when it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
Worse still, removing too much enamel isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It exposes the sensitive dentin inside your tooth, making tooth pain and tooth decay both much more likely. You could even throw off your bite and crack a tooth due to uneven pressure distribution. If you really want to reshape your teeth, let your dentist handle it.
5. Homemade Toothpaste
Some TikTok influencers (especially those promoting green, all-natural lifestyles) like to encourage their followers to ditch mass-manufactured toothpaste. Some say you should create your own toothpaste by mixing natural substances like coconut oil, peppermint oil, and aloe vera with abrasives like charcoal or calcium carbonate. Others say you should stop brushing altogether in favour of alternative oral hygiene practices like oil pulling.
We won’t mince words here: the invention of fluoride toothpaste was huge for oral health. Your teeth need fluoride to remineralize themselves after being exposed to acids and sugars in your food and drink. Most homemade toothpaste recipes not only leave out the fluoride entirely, but also use extremely harsh abrasives that will wear away your tooth enamel.
Commercial toothpastes have been tested extensively and are perfectly safe when used as directed. Use them! Your teeth and gums will thank you.
Get Dental Advice from Real Experts at Coscarella Family Dentistry
Your oral health is a critical part of your overall health. It’s too important to entrust to strangers on social media. Our team here at Coscarella Family Dentistry is always happy to help patients sort fact from fiction. Contact us today to book your first appointment and get real, trustworthy advice from qualified oral health professionals.
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