Don’t Try These 4 Social Media Tooth Trends At Home

Social media influencers and celebrities often post pictures on their social media accounts and tag their dentist or orthodontist in them. These pictures showcase the latest trends in tooth fashion or cosmetic dentistry. These trends, however, aren’t safe to try at home.

“Veneers Check” Trend

This trend involves users filing down their own teeth into small stubs or just in an attempt to even out some ridges. Because your teeth are porous, you could actually damage your teeth by carving into the surface. In addition, you could cause unnecessary pain to your teeth and gums.

DIY Braces

While braces are perfectly safe, DIY braces that consist of rubber bands and elastics can pop off and poke the inside of your mouth. This can bruise or cut the inside of your mouth. Plus, loose bands can become wrapped around your braces and wires, causing damage and pain to your gums and mouth!

Artfully Crafted Teeth

You’ve probably seen people on social media showing off their artfully crafted teeth. But that may not be a good idea for you to try that at home.

It’s risky to reshape your teeth on your own by sanding down your enamel or wearing a mouthpiece. And if you do decide to get veneers, you need to see a professional to get them placed correctly. Reshaping your teeth can have serious effects on your oral health and could result in tooth loss. So make sure you visit your dentist before you attempt any DIY tooth experiments!

Whitening Experiments

Social media makes tooth trends appear and disappear in an instant. However, these social media-friendly tricks aren’t recommended – at least when it comes to your teeth!

Some teens are trying DIY teeth-whitening experiments at home with household items such as coconut oil or charcoal toothpaste. But dentists warn that none of the at-home methods are safe for their teeth. The bleaching agents in teeth whitening products target the enamel of the teeth to remove stains and whiten the color. However, a consumer product like coconut oil has very different properties that don’t bleach the teeth but instead coat them and prevent stains from setting into the surface. Similarly, activated charcoal toothpaste doesn’t actually bleach the tooth itself; instead, it removes surface stains to make the teeth look whiter. Try out these unique whitening methods at your own risk – but know that your dentist offers a safe solution that won’t react with your mouth the way a commercial product does.