Dental surgeon's warning: why you should avoid teeth whitening and straightening hacks
- Replies 4
It's no secret that most of us want to have perfect teeth. Whether it's because we want to look our best or we simply want to avoid tooth pain, having healthy teeth is something that we all strive for.
There are a number of ways to achieve perfect teeth. Of course, brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to prevent tooth decay and maintain healthy gums. But sometimes, no matter how well we take care of our teeth, we still end up with cavities or other problems.
Of course, not everyone is born with a perfect set of teeth. Some people have crooked teeth, while others have gaps in their teeth.
This is where dental procedures come in. Whether it's getting a filling for a cavity or getting braces to straighten your teeth, these procedures can help us achieve the perfect smile that we've always wanted.
And while having a perfect smile is achievable, the procedures can be costly...
Keeping this in mind, it's not surprising that some people choose to do these procedures to themselves by following some 'easy hacks' that are being shared on the internet.
But, did you know that these 'tips' can put your precious smile at risk?
Dentists have sternly warned people not to use popular 'TikTok hacks' on their teeth.
According to renowned Queensland dental surgeon Dr Heath Fraser, the creators of popular teeth whitening and straightening techniques may be endangering viewers by endorsing hazardous procedures.
Dentists pointed out that one of the worst tips includes using a nail file to straighten the teeth.
The dangerous technique promises to straighten crooked teeth. Credit: TikTok.
The strange technique, which was initially shared by one woman on TikTok, received close to a million views and was copied dozens of times by other content creators who were confident they weren't doing any long-term damage.
Contrary to the positive reviews shared by so-called 'influencers', several viewers said that using the nail file 'hack' had damaged their teeth.
Dr Fraser said that people who file their teeth may be putting themselves in danger of needing 'invasive procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers and even root canal treatment to resolve the erosion issue.'
He also added that filing teeth is a 'highly irresponsible' activity, noting that 'once tooth enamel has been removed it is impossible to regenerate'.
'Even when performed in the dental chair by a professional, patients run the risk of eroding their tooth enamel,' he remarked.
Some users claimed to have used household cleaning products to whiten their teeth. Credit: TikTok.
Other troubling 'hacks' exposed millions of TikTok users to extremely risky teeth-whitening techniques that involved using household cleaners as tooth scrubs.
One video even urged viewers to use Mr Clean Magic Eraser on their teeth.
No need to do a double take, folks! Apparently, some people claimed that using the product, which is marketed as a tool for eradicating stubborn stains off walls, furniture, and floors, helped them achieve a pearly white smile despite how dangerous this can be.
Dr Fraser said that those who used it on their teeth would suffer severe repercussions, explaining: 'The Magic Eraser wears down a stained layer of enamel with a highly abrasive surface, and while this may cause teeth to appear initially whiter in a short TikTok video, the long-term consequences of wearing down enamel can result in discoloured, sensitive and in rare cases, cracked or chipped teeth.'
Hundreds of others who had either previously tried the hack or planned to do so left worrying comments on the popular video.
One user wrote: 'Just did it. No regrets.'
'I had fantastic results too,' another added.
Others use hydrogen peroxide to achieve a pearly white smile Credit: TikTok.
Positive outcomes, according to Dr Fraser, would be temporary. He also urged people who want whiter teeth to seek out TGA-approved procedures or speak with their dentist.
Another risky technique being shared on social media involved applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the teeth.
The dental expert noted that this treatment poses 'irreversible risks to the health of your teeth'.
Dr Fraser explained: 'Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth and gums poses an irreversible risk to the health of your teeth and can lead to tooth sensitivity, irritated gums and lips.'
'While many dentists do use the same bleaching agent, the concentration and application is much safer when administered by a professional. Having whiter teeth does not necessarily correlate to healthy teeth.'
Other TikTok users promoted the usage of raw charcoal as a method for teeth whitening, showcasing significant transformations in before-and-after videos.
Dr Fraser commented on the implications of this tip, saying: 'Ironically, while initial results may reveal whiter teeth, using highly abrasive surfaces against teeth will wear down enamel and expose the yellow dentine underneath, causing them to permanently appear more yellow.'
'Charcoal is an incredibly abrasive surface that can cause a yellow appearance and sensitivity in the long run.'
One TikTok user promoted the use of DIY braces to straighten the teeth. Credit: TikTok.
Last but definitely not the least dangerous of the 'hacks' involve the use of DIY dental braces.
Several users in need of orthodontic treatment revealed how they experimented with utilising elastic hair bands in place of braces.
One popular TikTok user, who has a following of almost 3.3 million, purchased a kit of the DIY braces and filmed himself assembling it.
The clip has gone viral, amassing more than 9 million views.
Dr Fraser denounced the technique and the users who promote it as a cost-effective, safe approach to acquiring straight teeth.
He said: 'Using elastic bands may work to move your teeth, but not in the aesthetic way you probably desire.'
'The thin, tight elastic bands used by users on social media can penetrate the gum, severely damaging the soft tissue in your mouth which may ultimately lead to serious irreversible damage, including your tooth falling out from the root.'
'Using toxic substances and attempting to administer your own braces may also lead to serious health consequences such as severe poisoning and tooth loss.'
An old saying goes: 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' Well, when it comes to your health, that saying couldn't be more true.
One of the best ways to save money on healthcare costs is to prevent health problems before they start. And one of the best ways to do that is to seek advice from health experts.
Sure, you can find a lot of health information online. But not all of it is reliable. And even if it is, it's often hard to know how to apply that information to your own unique situation.
So, there you have it, folks! Again, we recommend checking in with your dental care provider to ensure that you get the correct treatment for your dental issues. Stay safe out there!
There are a number of ways to achieve perfect teeth. Of course, brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to prevent tooth decay and maintain healthy gums. But sometimes, no matter how well we take care of our teeth, we still end up with cavities or other problems.
Of course, not everyone is born with a perfect set of teeth. Some people have crooked teeth, while others have gaps in their teeth.
This is where dental procedures come in. Whether it's getting a filling for a cavity or getting braces to straighten your teeth, these procedures can help us achieve the perfect smile that we've always wanted.
And while having a perfect smile is achievable, the procedures can be costly...
Keeping this in mind, it's not surprising that some people choose to do these procedures to themselves by following some 'easy hacks' that are being shared on the internet.
But, did you know that these 'tips' can put your precious smile at risk?
Dentists have sternly warned people not to use popular 'TikTok hacks' on their teeth.
According to renowned Queensland dental surgeon Dr Heath Fraser, the creators of popular teeth whitening and straightening techniques may be endangering viewers by endorsing hazardous procedures.
Dentists pointed out that one of the worst tips includes using a nail file to straighten the teeth.
The dangerous technique promises to straighten crooked teeth. Credit: TikTok.
The strange technique, which was initially shared by one woman on TikTok, received close to a million views and was copied dozens of times by other content creators who were confident they weren't doing any long-term damage.
Contrary to the positive reviews shared by so-called 'influencers', several viewers said that using the nail file 'hack' had damaged their teeth.
Dr Fraser said that people who file their teeth may be putting themselves in danger of needing 'invasive procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers and even root canal treatment to resolve the erosion issue.'
He also added that filing teeth is a 'highly irresponsible' activity, noting that 'once tooth enamel has been removed it is impossible to regenerate'.
'Even when performed in the dental chair by a professional, patients run the risk of eroding their tooth enamel,' he remarked.
Some users claimed to have used household cleaning products to whiten their teeth. Credit: TikTok.
Other troubling 'hacks' exposed millions of TikTok users to extremely risky teeth-whitening techniques that involved using household cleaners as tooth scrubs.
One video even urged viewers to use Mr Clean Magic Eraser on their teeth.
No need to do a double take, folks! Apparently, some people claimed that using the product, which is marketed as a tool for eradicating stubborn stains off walls, furniture, and floors, helped them achieve a pearly white smile despite how dangerous this can be.
Dr Fraser said that those who used it on their teeth would suffer severe repercussions, explaining: 'The Magic Eraser wears down a stained layer of enamel with a highly abrasive surface, and while this may cause teeth to appear initially whiter in a short TikTok video, the long-term consequences of wearing down enamel can result in discoloured, sensitive and in rare cases, cracked or chipped teeth.'
Hundreds of others who had either previously tried the hack or planned to do so left worrying comments on the popular video.
One user wrote: 'Just did it. No regrets.'
'I had fantastic results too,' another added.
Others use hydrogen peroxide to achieve a pearly white smile Credit: TikTok.
Positive outcomes, according to Dr Fraser, would be temporary. He also urged people who want whiter teeth to seek out TGA-approved procedures or speak with their dentist.
Another risky technique being shared on social media involved applying hydrogen peroxide directly to the teeth.
The dental expert noted that this treatment poses 'irreversible risks to the health of your teeth'.
Dr Fraser explained: 'Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth and gums poses an irreversible risk to the health of your teeth and can lead to tooth sensitivity, irritated gums and lips.'
'While many dentists do use the same bleaching agent, the concentration and application is much safer when administered by a professional. Having whiter teeth does not necessarily correlate to healthy teeth.'
Other TikTok users promoted the usage of raw charcoal as a method for teeth whitening, showcasing significant transformations in before-and-after videos.
Dr Fraser commented on the implications of this tip, saying: 'Ironically, while initial results may reveal whiter teeth, using highly abrasive surfaces against teeth will wear down enamel and expose the yellow dentine underneath, causing them to permanently appear more yellow.'
'Charcoal is an incredibly abrasive surface that can cause a yellow appearance and sensitivity in the long run.'
One TikTok user promoted the use of DIY braces to straighten the teeth. Credit: TikTok.
Last but definitely not the least dangerous of the 'hacks' involve the use of DIY dental braces.
Several users in need of orthodontic treatment revealed how they experimented with utilising elastic hair bands in place of braces.
One popular TikTok user, who has a following of almost 3.3 million, purchased a kit of the DIY braces and filmed himself assembling it.
The clip has gone viral, amassing more than 9 million views.
Dr Fraser denounced the technique and the users who promote it as a cost-effective, safe approach to acquiring straight teeth.
He said: 'Using elastic bands may work to move your teeth, but not in the aesthetic way you probably desire.'
'The thin, tight elastic bands used by users on social media can penetrate the gum, severely damaging the soft tissue in your mouth which may ultimately lead to serious irreversible damage, including your tooth falling out from the root.'
'Using toxic substances and attempting to administer your own braces may also lead to serious health consequences such as severe poisoning and tooth loss.'
An old saying goes: 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.' Well, when it comes to your health, that saying couldn't be more true.
One of the best ways to save money on healthcare costs is to prevent health problems before they start. And one of the best ways to do that is to seek advice from health experts.
Sure, you can find a lot of health information online. But not all of it is reliable. And even if it is, it's often hard to know how to apply that information to your own unique situation.
So, there you have it, folks! Again, we recommend checking in with your dental care provider to ensure that you get the correct treatment for your dental issues. Stay safe out there!
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