Dentist slams dangerous “aesthetic” teeth hacks
A dental surgeon has slammed a series of online hacks that show people attempting their own DIY dental work to achieve the perfect smile.
Prominent Queensland dental surgeon Dr Heath Fraser has argued against grim TikTok viral trends that have people trying to whiten and straighten their teeth at home, saying these “tips” can cause serious damage.
Among the worst offenders was 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.
The bizarre video amassed thousands of views, with copycat users claiming they had also tried the hack and experienced no lasting damage.
Dr Fraser, however, revealed people who filed 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”.
He described filing teeth as “highly irresponsible” and explained 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 said.
Other problematic “hacks” saw millions of TikTok users exposed to highly dangerous teeth whitening methods involving the use of household cleaners and hydrogen peroxide as a teeth scrub.
Dr Fraser said there were enormous consequences for people who used these products on their teeth, saying they posed “irreversible risks to the health of your teeth”.
Other users were desperate to straighten their teeth, as they shared how they tried using elastic hair bands in place of braces.
Dr Fraser condemned the method, as one video racked up millions of views promoting the use of elastic bands.
“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,” he said.
Dr Fraser reminded people that for any dental work, attending a dentist is always the safest and most effective option.
Image credits: TikTok