Dangerous TikTok trends worrying dentists
In recent months there have been some particularly harmful trends widely shared on TikTok which will cause more harm than good to your pearly whites.
Dentists Dr Lisa and Dr Vanessa Creaven, founders of Spotlight Oral Care, have shared their insight into the dangers of these viral trends.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening
A recent TikTok video of a user directly applying hydrogen peroxide onto her teeth has been viewed over 20 million times.
While hydrogen peroxide has been clinically proven to whiten teeth, it is an active ingredient, and so should be handled with care.
Hydrogen peroxide is used in a variety of oral care products, such as teeth whitening toothpaste and whitening strips, but by directly applying an uncontrolled amount in an uncontrolled way can seriously damage both teeth and gums, according to Dr. Lisa Creaven.
The danger is that it will cause burns to the gum tissues and can significantly damage the enamel and nerves of your teeth.
Commenting, Dr Vanessa Creaven said: "Teeth whitening toothpastes and products contain a very small and controlled amount of hydrogen peroxide.
"The level being used in these videos is far too highly concentrated to be used safely on the tooth."
- Nail File Teeth Filing
The second horrifying viral TikTok trend that has emerged this year, is of a teen filing her teeth with a nail file, in an attempt to re-shape and shave them down.
Dr Lisa Creaven has warned that doing this will no doubt cause irreversible, unhealthy damage to your teeth, removing tooth enamel.
Removing your natural tooth enamel will result in highly sensitive teeth, higher susceptibility to tooth decay, and inflammation that will likely require a dentist to intervene.
Commenting Dr Lisa Creaven said: "Engaging in this trend is highly dangerous, as your teeth do not grow back as your hair and nails do.
"Once your adult set of teeth grow, they are the teeth you will have for life.
"As a result, it’s important to treat them with care.
"This trend is unsafe and will likely result in permanent damage."
- Hair Flossing
The final oral TikTok trend that is worrying the dentists, is a recently popular ‘hack’ that involves using your hair to floss in between your teeth.
Dr Vanessa Creaven confirms that this is in fact not a ‘hack’, but an unsanitary and high-risk activity.
Not properly flossing your teeth on a daily basis can result in a build-up of bacteria, and in some cases, gum disease.
Choosing the correct tools to do so is just as important.
Hair is definitely not one of those tools.
Commenting on this bizarre trend, Dr Vanessa Creaven said: "Flossing plays a pivotal role in good oral health, and also overall health.
"50 percent of the fillings a person receives in their lifetime start between the teeth at the point where the toothbrush can’t reach.
"Using an incorrect tool such as your hair, which is also unsanitary, will not guarantee you are reaching these hard-to-reach points in the teeth."