Patients should avoid these 6 TikTok dental trends

Dental professionals have trained themselves to keep a close eye on the latest dental trends on social media. TikTok has an oversized influence on many of its users, especially those who are zealous about DIY trends and saving money. (Dentists are well-aware of how many of their patients are all about saving money.)

Research shows TikTok is especially influential on Gen Z and millennials when it comes to health trends, as one in five American adults turn to TikTok before their doctor when seeking health advice, and this of course includes dental advice.

Dental professionals know they must stay on top of the latest trends, which have been promoted since the birth of the app and the influence of, well, influencers. No doubt many of your young patients follow these influencers and have questions about the latest dental trends that influencers, and many others, promote and claim work wonders.

Unfortunately, many of your patients try these without any type of dental professional consultation, and then come to you seeking help with the damage.

Newsweek recently spoke with Dr. Smita Mehra of the Neem Tree Dental Practice about what she and her team see as six of the most dangerous trends dental patients should avoid. She is certainly not alone in her desire for patients to avoid these trends.

6 TikTok dental trends to avoid

• Tooth filing, for uneven teeth
• DIY teeth whitening
• At-home mouth piercings (ouch!)
• DIY fillings (Yes, you read that right … fillings.)
• Closing gaps with rubber bands (knows as “gap bands”)
• Oil pulling, a controversial alternative treatment some dental pros do promote

Here's what Dr. Mehra has to say about her choices of dangerous TikTok trends. Watch for your patients who show up in your chair with signs in their mouths that they may have tried some these ill-advised ideas.