TikTok can be a great source of entertainment. Who doesn’t love seeing TikTok dances, cute animals, funny parodies, and delicious cooking videos? Unfortunately, though, TikTok can also be the source of some weird and even dangerous trends. Some of those have to do with cosmetic dentistry; some can be unhealthy or even life-threatening.
We want to point out some of the TikTok trends you’ll want to avoid — unless you want to end up with a costly dental bill later. If you have any concerns or issues with your teeth, you should visit your local dentist or orthodontist. Anyone inclined to consider dental TikTok trends in Olathe, KS, or Overland Park, KS, can stop by and chat with Dr. Oltjen. We can offer solutions that will likely be less costly and far less painful.
Changing the shape of your teeth
There is a trend about reshaping your teeth that has been around for a while but has been repopularized recently on TikTok. Some people believe that if you’re unhappy with the shape of your teeth or want to cosplay as your favorite Hollywood monster (Edward Cullen, maybe?), you should file down your teeth to be smaller, shape your canines into fangs, or various other permanent at-home dental adjustments.
Please…please…don’t do that.
Really, don’t do that. Filing down your teeth causes permanent damage. It eliminates enamel, the tough outer shell protecting your teeth from rot and decay. Without that shell, your teeth are likely to rot, become infected, and could eventually fall out. It can be excruciatingly painful, both during the process and afterward, because you’ve exposed the dentin where the nerve lies. To paint a picture that we all can understand it’s like peeling off the top of your skull (please don’t do that, either). The result is a tooth that will die, become discolored, and fall out. So if this were a game of cap or no cap, this idea is 100% cap.
Fixing filed or reshaped teeth is an expensive process involving crowns or veneers to repair the damage. It can be costly and painful, so we strongly recommend you don’t do it. If you have a problem with the shape of a tooth or the general size of your teeth, give Oltjen Orthodontics a call and let us see what we can do to help you.
Gluing things to your teeth
Another trend that we’ve heard about (and that has us worried) is that people are using hot glue or Super Glue to glue accessories to their teeth, either for a Halloween costume or just to add “bling” to their smile with jewels.
This isn’t a good idea, either. The heat from hot glue can scar your tooth or cause other permanent damage, which could lead to tooth decay or tooth loss. Hot glue can also cause severe burns to the lips, cheek, or tongue.
Super Glue is not any better. It can bond with the teeth and cause permanent damage or bond with the soft tissue in your mouth and cause damage to your lips, cheeks, or tongue. It could result in a trip to the emergency room to properly open your mouth back up. Super Glue is also highly toxic, so it could make you very ill very quickly.
Talk to a dentist, or us, about possible safe alternative dental accessories for your costume.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”30717″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
Do-it-yourself braces and orthodontics
Another dangerous trend is performing your own orthodontic treatment using rubber bands, ponytail holders, and various Amazon purchased items. The trend suggests wrapping teeth in these to close gaps or move teeth to a different location.
Trust us; it’s not that simple. Orthodontics is a very detailed, precise, and complicated process. It involves intense planning and specific equipment to move your teeth properly and without damage. That’s why when you first come into Oltjen Orthodontics, we start with detailed scans and x-rays so we can plan the best treatment possible for you. Dr. Oltjen will craft a specialized and unique orthodontal plan – one that is just as special and unique as you are!
Using rubber bands or hair ties can cause serious and permanent damage to the teeth, jaw, and gums. You can damage the roots of your teeth by moving them too fast, as well as your jaw. This can cause your teeth to die and fall out. It can also cause infections in your gums and bones, which can be very painful and lead to tooth loss.
An extension of this trend is at-home orthodontic companies like SmileDirectClub, Byte, and ALIGNERCO. These companies place ads all over social media and even use your favorite TikTok influencers to convince you to use their products. Orthodontics is much more complicated than some people realize and some patients are just not candidates for aligners. These companies don’t care about the long-term health of your smile. They only care about immediate profit. Licensed orthodontists go to school for a long time to specialize in this. Your local orthodontist works hand-in-hand with your dentist to ensure that at the end of the day, you have the healthy and aesthetically pleasing smile you desire.
Bottom line, if you need orthodontic treatment, give us a call. It will be a lot less painful and expensive in the end.
Polishing your teeth with nail polish
Finally, there’s a trend based on a real and safe product, but people are using what they believe is a similar product to achieve the same result. There is a real product that can be used to put a pigment or glitter on teeth similar to nail polish, but it is NOT nail polish.
The real product is called Chrom Toothpolish, which was created by dentists. It is temporary and non-toxic, so it can be used on teeth. It comes in various colors or even a clear glitter. It can be removed easily and brushed away with normal toothbrushing. However, as stated on their website and packaging, it’s not recommended for use with any orthodontic devices, such as braces or Invisalign®. Chrom Toothpolish is also not recommended for teeth with dental issues, such as discoloration or decay. It also should not be used to fix chips or cracks. But, even the company recommends that you check with your dentist before using their product.
The main point to take away from this is that nail polish should NEVER be used on teeth. Nail polish is highly toxic and it can also cause permanent damage to your teeth by discoloring them over time. Please use the dentist-approved product if you would like to achieve these results and never put nail polish on your teeth. Protect your teeth and protect your health!
More odd trends? Talk to us first!
These are a few of the most worrying and bizarre trends out there on TikTok and other social media platforms, but they’re definitely not the only ones. There are plenty of others out there, from the odd to the downright gross or dangerous. Before doing ANYTHING to your teeth, we strongly recommend you speak to a professional first. Please know that we are here to help and advise you on how to get a beautiful, healthy smile. We want to help you and educate you on why some things might look cool, but could be bad in the long run.
If you’re in the Olathe, KS, or Overland Park, KS, area, contact Oltjen Orthodontics and ask if what you’ve seen on the Internet is a true solution or just another unsafe trend. Please talk to us BEFORE you attempt any at-home orthodontal “fixes”. Otherwise, we may be seeing you under unfortunate circumstances for some very expensive repairs.