Should You Take Dental Advice from TikTok? 3 Trends to Try, and 3 to Avoid As a general rule, it’s best to take everything on the internet with a grain of salt. That includes the tips, tricks, and hacks proliferating on apps like Instagram and TikTok. As your mom might say, “Just because your friend jumped off the [TikTok dental trend] bridge doesn’t mean you should too!” Mom advice aside, it’s easy to be lured in by the siren song of a 30-second video that promises a smile that’s whiter, brighter, and straighter. The problem is that many of these “hacks” were invented by bored teenagers, not dentists. Some of them, like the three below, even cross over from ineffective to straight-up dangerous. 1. Using a nail file to smooth your teeth will definitely take off rough edges, but it can also damage your enamel and even expose nerves. You could end up with stained teeth and/or extreme sensitivity. 2. Bleaching your teeth with hydrogen peroxide is also a bad move. Too much exposure to this common bathroom product can actually cause cancer. 3. DIY braces are almost as unwise. TikTokers love to show the rubber bands they’ve used to shift their teeth, but in reality, if you put pressure in the wrong place, you could end up losing a tooth.
On the other hand, there are a few TikTok trends and hacks that are safe to try at home.
1. The “American Girl Doll Teeth” trend can be an interesting experiment. Popularized when a fan “burned” “The Bachelorette” contestant Bennett Jordan, this trend involves comparing your front teeth to the prominent chompers of the “Samantha” American Girl doll. At best, the results will crack you up, and at worst, they’ll leave you feeling a little self-conscious. 2. DIY toothpaste is much safer than DIY braces and could actually save you money! This hack has gained traction as a plastic-free, “natural” alternative to toothpaste tubes. If you go for it, choose a recipe with dentist-approved ingredients and without anything abrasive or acidic. 3. Taking a Waterpik for a test drive could also benefit your teeth. The jets of water these automatic flossers produce are video-worthy, but they also do a great job of clearing plaque and food debris from spots traditional floss can’t reach.
BEST Upstate of the
Marshall Orthodontics is nominated in the Best Orthodontist category! We’re so honored by all of the support we’ve gotten from our community — and it’s time for the final push. We will be sending out emails and posting on social media about where and how to vote! Voting runs from May 14 to May 30 — so what are you waiting for? It’s time to make your voice heard! Vote for Us for Best of the Upstate!
Itching to try a trend that isn’t on this list? Talk to your dentist before you take the plunge.
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