6 TikTok dental trends your teen should avoid

Your teen’s smile may be one your favorite qualities about them, but it can also be something they’re prone to feel self-conscious about, especially from social media platforms like TikTok. Around 72% of Gen Z report that they compare their smiles to others on social media with 45% saying social media harms their confidence in their smile.¹

The same source of these insecurities is often looked to for solutions. Many parents may be shocked to learn just how many are turning to social media platforms for health advice. In fact, 87% of TikTok users have used the platform for health advice rather than consulting with medical professionals.² Some DIY dental “hacks” or trends have garnered millions of views as they promise to upgrade smiles with quick fixes and potentially harmful fads.

It’s important for parents to be aware of these trends to avoid any serious health mishaps for their teens. While some of these dental trends can seem fun or convenient, they may also cause long-term harm to teeth, gums, and oral health in general. Let’s look at the latest TikTok dental trends and shed some light on why they may be best to avoid.

Nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches have become popular in the United States, in part due to endorsements by social media influencers. These nicotine products are kept between the user’s lips and teeth on the gum. While they are generally considered a lower risk than smoking due to not having tobacco and have often been touted as a tobacco cession (cessation) option, it’s important to understand their potential dangers.

What can go wrong with using nicotine pouches in the dental arena?

• Gum irritation and recession: The nicotine and other chemicals found in these popular pouches can irritate gum tissue and potentially cause gum recession over time in the areas where the pouches are kept.

• Oral ulcers: Nicotine pouches can contribute to the development of oral ulcers, most likely in the spots where the pouches are placed. This is due to the irritation caused by prolonged exposure, which may lead to inflammation, redness, and ulcers.

Tooth gems

What are tooth gems? Tooth gems are small, decorative crystals or jewels that are glued to the surface of a tooth as a way to personalize smiles. While this cosmetic dental trend can look stylish and fun to some, tooth gems can pose potential risks to your teen’s oral health.

What can go wrong with tooth gems?

• Enamel erosion: DIY options for adhesives, such as super glue or nail glue should likely be avoided as they can damage the enamel of the tooth and tooth gems can also scratch your enamel when they’re removed. Enamel is a hard, protective outer layer of your teeth that protects your them from damage, including tooth decay, cavities, erosion, and sensitivity. When that enamel is disrupted that may lead to the exposure of dentin which is a much softer material on the tooth and thus the protective layer is disrupted which can lead to decay.

• Plaque and bacteria buildup: Tooth gems can trap food particles, which can create an opportunity for plaque and bacteria to accumulate and may lead to decalcification, (white spots on the teeth) cavities, gum disease, and chronic bad breath.

• Tooth damage and lesions: Even if a tooth gem is applied correctly, it can make it harder to keep your teeth clean, which may lead to tooth damage and decay. They could also cause other teeth to chip and may cause lesions if they cut the inside of your lip.

Even if applied correctly by a dental professional with the proper dental adhesive, tooth gems can make it harder to keep teeth clean. Regular dental cleanings are essential to keep your teeth safe, even with tooth gems.

Facial fitness chewing gum

Facial fitness chewing gum is referenced on social media as a way to workout and improve the appearance of jawlines. The idea is that chewing this gum strengthens the jaw muscles and creates a more defined look. However, there’s little evidence to support these claims, and it can even be dangerous for oral health.

What can go wrong with facial fitness chewing gum?

Depending on the ingredients it can contain sugars, or other ingredients that can harm your teeth, gums and body.

• Tooth damage: Chewing very hard gum can damage teeth and jaw joints. It can create cracks in enamel, which may lead to cavities, increased sensitivity, or even broken teeth.

• Jaw issues: For jaw joints, it can create strain and lead to chronic pain, stiffness, and jaw popping. For those with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), this gum may worsen symptoms by putting excessive strain on your jaw muscles.

• Laxative effect: Some chewing gums contain sugar alcohols, caffeine, or vitamin B5 that can have unwanted laxative effects in higher doses. Excessive consumption may lead to chronic diarrhea and stomach pain.

There’s no guarantee that facial fitness chewing gum can deliver the advertised results. Rather than creating a change in the actual bone structure of the jawline, it may strengthen the masseter muscles, which can lead to a squarer or wider face structure without improving the jawline. The impact on jawline definition is likely minimal.³

Teeth filing

Teeth filing or teeth shaving is another DIY fast hack to attempt to create a straighter smile by grinding them down with a nail file. While there’s a dental procedure called enameloplasty, where a professional will file down teeth using specialized tools to correct minor irregularities, DIY attempts like those seen on TikTok can lead to irreversible damage.

What can go wrong with filing your own teeth?

• Enamel damage and increased sensitivity: Doing your own teeth filing can remove too much enamel, which is the hard protective outer layer of your teeth. Once it’s removed or damaged, it can’t grow back, and without enamel, there’s increasing tooth sensitivity and raising the risk of tooth decay.⁴

• Misaligned teeth and bite problems: When a professional performs an enameloplasty, it’s with the utmost precision, taking into consideration the alignment of an individual’s bite. Improper filing can easily result in uneven teeth, affecting how they come together. This can create a scenario of chasing evenness that leads to more and more being filed away, which can quickly snowball into irreparable changes.

Teeth filing is best left to a dental professional who understands dental anatomy and can safely administer it. While it may seem like an easy, quick fix to try at home, a dental provider should be consulted if your teen is considering making any aesthetic changes to their teeth.

Using rubber bands to close gaps (banding) gap bands

Another DIY TikTok dental trend that’s presented as an alternative to professional care is using rubber bands to close gaps in teeth — also known as “banding.” Although some influencers online claim this at-home treatment trend has helped to improve their smile, DIY gap bands can cause damage to the gumline, jawbone, and teeth.

What can go wrong with banding?

• Damage to teeth and roots: The uncontrolled pressure from rubber bands can weaken or damage tooth roots, leading to instability — and in worst case scenarios — tooth loss.

• Gum and bone damage: When using rubber to close gaps in your teeth, the bands can slip below the gum line. This may cause irreversible harm to the gums and underlying bone structure.

• Misaligned bite or shift in teeth: DIY efforts to close gaps with rubber bands can lead to teeth shifting and realigning unpredictably. This may cause an uneven bite that may require extensive and expensive orthodontic correction.

While it may seem expensive to go to the orthodontist to fix a tooth gap, attempting this DIY “hack” can cause damage to roots, gums, and teeth that may require more extensive professional treatments, such as oral surgery, to repair.

Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening

Another concerning dental trend that’s popular on TikTok is using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. This isn’t a safe way to whiten teeth on a budget and can cause long lasting issues.

What can go wrong with DIY teeth whitening?

• Enamel erosion: High concentrations or frequent use of hydrogen peroxide for whitening your teeth at home can weaken or wear down enamel and create sensitivity.⁵ This can cause teeth to become more sensitive and susceptible to decay and cervical root resorption.

• Gum irritation: Direct exposure to hydrogen peroxide can cause painful burns or inflammation in the gums and soft tissues of the mouth if used in high concentration.

• Uneven whitening: Professional teeth whitening is a precise and calculated process. DIY methods of using hydrogen peroxide at home can lead to blotchy and uneven whitening, which can leave smiles looking worse off than before.

Dental professionals are well qualified to help with safe and effective teeth whitening. Their recommendations can range from toothpaste, whitening strips, take-home trays, or in-office whitening procedures. For the long-term sake of your smile, it’s best to avoid hydrogen peroxide.

While it can be tempting for your teen to give TikTok dental trends a try, it’s important to remind them that it’s likely not the ideal place to look for dental health advice. When it comes to their teeth and oral health, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Consult with their dentist if they’re considering any aesthetic or functional improvements to their smile to keep them healthy through all the fads and trends for years to come.