TikTok is full of health tips and tricks, but not of all of them are useful – especially when it comes to your teeth.
A dentist has warned against six dangerous teeth trends that could actually do far more harm than good.
Dentist warns against viral teeth trends
Dr. Smita Mehra has provided insight into the dangers of TikTok’s top dental trends and explained why they are best avoided.
1. At-home tooth filing
First up, a dangerous trend has arisen which sees people filing down their teeth at home with nail files to straighten and shape them.
“For those with ‘uneven teeth’, this has become a cheaper and quicker solution than seeking professional help,” Mehra said. “But the long-term dangers of filing teeth down at home are unspoken of.”
Filing them down yourself can remove the enamel, causing “irreparable damage”, and leave the sensitive dentine layer below unprotected, which is not meant to be exposed. This can cause tooth decay.
“It can also misalign your teeth. This is because using a nail file will change the shape and size of your teeth, which can cause problems with chewing your food properly and speaking,” she continued.
2. Vampire teeth
Next is vampire teeth, which sees people sticking fake Halloween fangs to their canines using a really strong adhesive and keeping them on permanently.
“Whilst it may be fun for photos, using such strong chemicals on your teeth can cause a whole host of dental issues,” the dentist said.
Superglue is not for dental use and contains chemicals that can be toxic if ingested or inhaled. It can also irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, including your gums, tongue, and throat.
On top of that, you could chip or break the teeth while trying to remove them as the adhesive is so strong. The glue acts as a plaque retention factor, which roughens the surface of the teeth and makes them more susceptible to tartar and decay.
3. DIY teeth whitening
It’s not a good idea to take part in any at-home teeth whitening either. All kinds of dangerous hacks are circling TikTok from brushing your teeth with apple cider vinegar to mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda.
“Many DIY whitening methods can involve using baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, which can erode tooth enamel if misused. Once the enamel is worn away, it cannot be restored, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and a higher risk of cavities,” the dental professional said.
Highly concentrated whitening agents can also cause chemical burns, and at-home teeth whitening can affect crowns, veneers, and fillings differently than natural teeth, so it’s always best to speak to a dentist about whitening.
4. At-home mouth piercings
There has been a rise in people trying to pierce areas of their mouth at home, but there are dangers involved.
“TikTok has a piercing filter, which can show users how they would look with one. This has led to an influx of people impulsively piercing parts of their mouths at home,” Mehra added.
Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, so performing a piercing in a non-sterile environment greatly increases the risk of infections.
This can then lead to abscesses, swelling, and pain in the mouth. In serious cases, swelling after piercing at home could obstruct the airway and make it hard to breathe.
5. Oil pulling
Another viral trend is oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swirling oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote saliva production.
The dentist said: “Although the practice itself is safe, the information on TikTok regarding the technique has been misleading – and people are substituting their normal cleaning routine with just oil pulling.”
It does not effectively remove plaque from the teeth and should never be used as a replacement for brushing and flossing, as this can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
The benefits of oil pulling, such as fresher breath or a cleaner mouth feel, are temporary and proper dental hygiene, including brushing twice a day and flossing, is always necessary.
6. DIY fillings
Videos are circling TikTok of people doing at-home fillings, which should solely be done by a medical professional. At-home filling kits or home remedies use materials not suitable for dental use that are often dangerous for your mouth.
“Performing a filling at home and without proper sterilisation can introduce bacteria into the cavity, which can further exacerbate the existing issue,” she said.
The cavity must be removed correctly with a drill, then properly filled by a dentist. If not applied correctly, it can lead to cracked or broken teeth.
“Incorrect application can result in an inadequate seal, allowing bacteria and food particles to enter the cavity, which can worsen the initial decay,” the dentist added.
7. Closing gaps with rubber bands
Finally, you should never close gaps in your teeth using rubber bands, a trend which can cause huge pain and discomfort as they are not designed for orthodontic purposes.
The dentist said: “Even if the rubber bands initially close the gaps, they do not address the underlying alignment issues. This can lead to an orthodontic relapse, where the teeth move back to their original positions or become misaligned in other ways.”
Pressure applied to the teeth and gums could lead to ongoing pain and difficulty when eating or speaking. If you are looking to fix any gaps in your teeth, you must seek help from a qualified orthodontist.
You only have one set of teeth – so look after them!
Dr. Smita Mehra (BDS, MFGDPRCS) is Principal Dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice and gained her dentistry degree from the University of Birmingham.
