With the rise of social media in recent years the chances are you have seen influencers sharing DIY tricks to get a whiter and straighter smile. These so called “dental hacks” may promise quick fixes or cost-saving benefits but they can cause more harm than good.

Lets look at some of these Dental hacks.

  • DIY Teeth Whitening. Everyone wants a bright smile but some popular at home whitening methods can actually do serious harm. Products made from Baking Soda or Charcoal which are often marketed and described as “healthy” or “green” are abrasive and can erode enamel over time. This leads to sensitivity, and an increased risk of decay. Once enamel is significantly reduced by this abrasion your teeth look duller, not brighter!

Hydrogen Peroxide which is commonly used for whitening can irritate gums and damage soft tissues when used in high concentration or without proper supervision. Some professional treatments use peroxide, however your dentist is trained to use this safely.

What should you do instead? For safe whitening consult your dental professional to discuss approved at -home whitening kits that are effective and gentle.

  • Dental and Orthodontic Tourism. Dental treatments with lower costs in other countries are attractive in the first instance. However what you save in money you may pay for in health consequences. There are several serious risks when it comes to dental tourism including:

Lack of regulation- International Dentists and Orthodontists may not be required to adhere to the strict training, hygiene regulations and professional standards that we have here in Australia https://www.ahpra.gov.au/dental.

Follow Up Issues- If complications arise after treatment it’s much harder and more costly to seek follow up care abroad or at home.

Materials and Equipment – Inferior materials and equipment may be used potentially leading to infections, breakage and the need for corrective treatments.

What should you do instead? If affordability is a concern speak to your Dentist or Orthodontist. Many offer financing options to allow you to manage the cost of high quality regulated care

  • Vinegar Rinses for a cleaner mouth. Some influencers advocate rising with vinegars (apple cider in particular) to kill bacteria and whiten teeth. Vinegar is highly acidic. Regular exposure can erode your enamel, weaken your teeth and lead to irreversible damage.

What should you do instead? Stick with fluoride mouthwash which strengthens enamel and helps fight bacteria.

  • Oil pulling and gargling. Some Tik Tok claims are made that swishing coconut or peppermint oil in your mouth can clean or whiten teeth, help gums and prevent cavities. There is little evidence that this works.

What should I do instead? Nothing replaces a good routine of Oral Hygiene with brushing and flossing. Your dental professional is able to help you develop a solid daily routine.

  • Using superglue to fix teeth. Attempting to fix a cracked or chipped tooth this way can lead to infection or further damage to the tooth and gums. Chemicals in the glue can leach into the body leading to toxic poisoning.

What should you do instead? Discuss damaged teeth with your Dentist to decide the healthiest available solution to repair them.

  • Using tooth -picks and dental Floss aggressively. Being forceful with these items can lead to permanent gum recession and bleeding or breaking off pieces in your teeth.

What should you do instead? Gentle flossing is essential to maintaining good oral hygiene. Speak with your Dental professional about developing a good technique and program for your care.

  • DIY Teeth Shaving to Straighten or Shape. Using nail files or other sharp objects to file down teeth is an alarming trend and is gaining traction on social media. DIY filing can weaken tooth structure and lead to sensitivity. Improper shaping can lead to bite issues, difficulty in chewing and bacterial infection.

What should you do instead? If you are unhappy with the shape of your teeth speak with your Dental professional about safe options to recontour your teeth along with possible braces, or aligners to reposition them effectively.

  • Closing Gaps with Rubber Bands. DIY Orthodontics using rubber bands can have devastating effects. These bands can slip under gumlines causing infections and permanent damage to tooth and gum structures. Teeth may shift improperly resulting in a misaligned bite.

What should you do instead? Consult an Orthodontist to discuss your alignment goals and treatment alternatives.

Don’t risk your smile and oral health by using dangerous dental hacks. Instead, schedule a consultation with a well trained dental professional who can advise the best way to achieve the results you’re after.