TikTok Dental Trends Are Ruining People’s Teeth

If there’s one thing that shouldn’t be on the internet, it’s DIY dental hacks from random people that aren’t licensed dental providers. They all overpromise, underdeliver, and usually wind up putting your oral health in way worse of a predicament than it was before you tried them. On sites like Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok, whitening teeth or the cringe-worthy TikTok tooth filing videos are just a couple of examples. There are some hilarious videos out there, but bad TikTok trends for teeth are NOT one of them.

The ones you need to be worried about the most are the TikTok tooth filing and the TikTok whitening teeth hacks.

The Danger Of Shaving Down Teeth 

Your tooth enamel cannot repair itself. Once it’s shaved down, it’s gone for good. But the most recent bad TikTok trends include people using things like fingernail files to physically grind down and reshape their teeth. They’re left with these little pegs like what you would have if you’re about to get dental veneers or a dental crown.

TikTok tooth filing (not to be confused with fillings with TWO Ls) is also crazy dangerous because you are wearing down the protective layer that covers the nerve inside of your tooth. So, what you’re left with is a hypersensitive tooth and maybe even a trip to the dentist for a root canal. The teeth shaving TikTok tend needs to stop!

Plus, when you’re filing down your teeth, they are NOT numb. It’s going to cause serious sensitivity and pain. If not today, then later. If you don’t like the shape of your tooth, please, I beg you, talk to your dentist about safer crown or veneer options that can protect and enhance the smile you already have. Trying to copy a TikTok tooth filing trend is going to double or even triple the amount of money you’re spending at the dentist to try to start repairing the damage.

How Fix Teeth After Shaving 

Technically speaking, shaving a tooth down is part of the restorative process for getting dental crowns or veneers. But this reshaping (or “prepping” as your dentist calls it) is done extremely carefully. The whole point is to not damage the nerve inside of your tooth!

But let’s say you already tried it on one tooth and you’re instantly regretting it. To fix your tooth, you need to see your dentist and ask about a crown or veneer. Crowns cover the whole tooth, while veneers only cover the front. And if the filing went too deep, a root canal will be a complete “must-have.”

TikTok Whitening With Peroxide Warning

Ok, so let’s talk about other bad TikTok trends that may seem “safe.” The hydrogen peroxide TikTok whitening teeth videos are a prime example.

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient that’s found in a lot of whitening products (even strips.) But when you’re using those gels, you’re not rubbing them around all over your gums, tongue, or cheeks. They’re held against your teeth for a set timeframe to make sure they work properly.

Rinsing with a little hydrogen peroxide may, occasionally, be recommended by your dentist. But unless it was, don’t do it. Regular rinsing with peroxide can totally throw off your natural oral flora and lead to serious nasty consequences (Like black hairy tongue. Trust me, don’t go Google it.)

If you really want your teeth to be whiter, the safest and most effective way to do it is to talk to your dentist. They can tell you whether an over-the-counter strip option or a set of custom whitening trays will work best. They’ll work faster and stronger than briefly rinsing with a weak solution of hydrogen peroxide.

DISCLAIMER: My Warning About Online Dental Trends

Almost every dental hack or bad TikTok trend is the creation of someone with zero dental training or license. Some of them even claim to show you how to re-grow tooth enamel so that you don’t need fillings in an active cavity. Friends, it is physically impossible for tooth enamel to regrow and repair itself. That’s why TikTok tooth filing and other types of DIY trends are so dangerous.

In the grand scheme of things, many of these DIY trends cause irreversible tooth damage that does require getting a dentist involved to fix them. And like I said earlier, it will cost you more money in the long run.

Talk With Your Dentist Before Whitening, Veneer Treatment 

With SO many types of cosmetic dentistry options out there, chances are there are probably smile makeover treatments you haven’t considered. Crowns and dental veneers definitely have their place, but once the tooth is prepped or filed down, you’re locked in for life. If it falls off, you’re getting a new one. Ask your dentist if there is a more conservative treatment such as whitening or maybe Invisalign to enhance the healthy enamel you already have! It’s the healthy, holistic thing to do. Save the veneers or crowns for serious tooth issues, like cracked enamel, internal staining, or similar situations.

Recapping TikTok Dental Trends 

As tempted as you may be to check out those TikTok whitening teeth tips or TikTok tooth filing hacks, don’t. They will never, ever give you what you’re looking for. Unless of course, you’re looking for a huge dental bill (and nobody is looking for that!) You’ll be way happier with your smile if you’re open and honest with your dental team about what you’d like to change about your teeth. They can help you find a safe AND affordable way to transform your smile into your best accessory!