A Queensland dental surgeon has warned against the use of TikTok teeth whitening and straightening hacks which are putting viewers in harm’s way.
Dr. Heath Fraser, a prominent dental surgeon, said while the hacks may seem harmless, they can actually cause serious damage to teeth and gums.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there about how to whiten or straighten teeth, and TikTok is a breeding ground for it,” he said.
A woman who filmed herself filing down her teeth using a nail file and promoted the tactic as a cheap way to get a straight smile was among the worst offenders.
The method, which accumulated close to a million views, was replicated hundreds of times by other creators who were convinced they weren’t causing any long-term harm.
“People who file their teeth could be setting themselves up for invasive procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers, and even root canal treatment to resolve the erosion issue”, Dr. Fraser revealed.
“Patients run the risk of eroding their tooth enamel even when the procedure is performed by a professional in a dental chair,” he said.
So, what’s the bottom line? While some of these TikTok hacks may offer temporary results, they can actually do more harm than good in the long run. So, it’s best to stick to traditional dental treatments and leave the hacks to the professionals.
