by Roseman Dental | Apr 19, 2023 | Dental 360, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Dental TikTok trends have become increasingly popular over the past year, with users sharing tips, tricks, and hacks for achieving a perfect smile. While some of these trends can be harmless and even helpful, others can be downright dangerous and cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular dental TikTok trends and why they are dangerous.
Using baking soda to whiten your teeth
One of the most common dental TikTok trends is using baking soda to whiten your teeth. While baking soda can remove surface stains, it can also erode your tooth enamel over time. This can make your teeth more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. In addition, using baking soda too frequently can cause tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
DIY braces
Another dangerous dental TikTok trend is DIY braces. Some users suggest using rubber bands or other materials to move your teeth into alignment. However, attempting to straighten your teeth at home can lead to serious problems, such as tooth loss, infection, and even jaw damage. Orthodontic treatment should always be performed by a licensed professional.
Using activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is another popular dental TikTok trend that can be dangerous. While it can remove surface stains, it can also absorb important minerals in your mouth and digestive system. This can lead to enamel erosion and tooth decay. In addition, charcoal can be abrasive and cause damage to your tooth enamel and gums.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is a dental TikTok trend that involves swishing oil in your mouth for several minutes to remove bacteria and toxins. While oil pulling can be a useful addition to your oral hygiene routine, it should never replace brushing and flossing. In addition, some oils, such as coconut oil, can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Using lemons to whiten your teeth
Finally, some dental TikTok users suggest using lemons to whiten your teeth. However, lemons are highly acidic and can erode your tooth enamel over time. This can lead to tooth sensitivity and decay.
In conclusion, while dental TikTok trends may seem like a fun way to improve your smile, they can actually be quite dangerous. It’s important to always consult with a licensed dental professional before attempting any at-home treatments or remedies. In addition, sticking to a consistent oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing regularly and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups, is the best way to maintain a healthy smile.
Dr.Matthew Thacker, DMD, BS
AEGD Program Director/Clinic Director
Roseman University of Health Sciences
College of Dental Medicine – AEGD Henderson & Summerlin
4 Sunset Way Bldg B, Henderson, NV 89014
1 Breakthrough Way Suite 3218, Las Vegas, NV 89135
by Roseman Dental | Apr 18, 2023 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
Your teeth are important for everything from eating and nutrition to proper speech, so an injury to your teeth can have much larger implications than just affecting your beautiful smile. When engaging in certain kinds of physical activity, your mouth is potentially at risk for injury causing knocked-out teeth and injuries to the gums, lips, tongue, and surrounding tissues. Make sure you are always careful and take preventative measures to ensure you teeth and mouth stay healthy and injury-free.
Situations Where Tooth and Mouth Injuries Are Common
Most of your daily activities won’t put you at risk for tooth injury, but in the following situations you will want to have a mouth guard or take other precautions to prevent injury.
- Babies and toddlers who are learning to walk will stumble and fall a lot. It is important to keep an eye on them to make sure they are careful, and if they are in this early stumbling phase, don’t let them practice on a hard surface like concrete or asphalt.
- Sports injuries are a common reason for a visit to a dentist. Anyone who plays contact sports, such as boxing, football, basketball, soccer, or lacrosse needs to always wear a mouth guard. Even heavy physical exertion offers an opportunity to fall down and chip a tooth, so while it may not require a mouth guard, be sure to take care and watch your step!
- Some people experience tooth pain when they wake up after sleeping for the night. If you are one of these, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. A visit to a doctor or dentist will reveal if your tooth damage is the result of grinding and your dentist can help you decide if wearing a mouth guard when you sleep is the best option.
You don’t have to avoid risky situations to avoid mouth injury. Just make sure to take the appropriate precautions before you go at it.
by Roseman Dental | Apr 18, 2023 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT
With school almost out and great weather ahead, summer is a time when most kids get out and play—whether it’s in the water, on a bicycle, or out on a sports field. Unfortunately, with many summer activities, there is a higher risk of facial injury. Many dentists see an increase in facial trauma that leads to tooth loss or other damage, simply due to the increase in outdoor and sports activities.
Here are a few of the most common summer activities that could put your teeth at risk, and suggestions for ways you can prevent injury this season.
Playing Contact Sports
Whether you prefer to take the field for a game of soccer, hit the courts for a quick game of basketball, or play baseball, softball, or football this season, contact sports can be dangerous. This is especially true in sports like baseball, softball, and soccer, where mouth guards and facemasks are not mandatory, or in pick-up games that you’re just playing for fun with friends, since you often don’t wear the same protective gear as you would when you’re playing in an official game or league.
The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that about 1 in 3 facial injuries are sports-related, but mouth guards prevent more than 200,000 injuries every year, so they should be a critical part of your sports uniform, even for casual games. This is especially true if you have braces or other orthodontic work, which can cause mouth cuts, jaw injuries, and other damage to your teeth.
You can buy stock mouth guards “off the shelf” that are standard sizes, although they provide limited protection because they are not customized specifically for you. A better option is the mouth-formed guards that you boil and bite to fit to your mouth, or a custom mouth protector that you get from your dentist. The latter is the best option because it is made specifically for your mouth, but it is also the most expensive option. In some cases, a custom-fit mouth guard from your dentist may be covered by dental insurance, so check with your provider to find out.
Activities on Wheels
There are plenty of fun ways to get out on a set of wheels during the summer—including skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, bicycles, motorcycle, dirt bikes, and more. Unfortunately these activities also pose a risk for injuries that range from head trauma to broken bones, cuts and scrapes, and facial trauma, including broken or damaged teeth, missing teeth, and mouth cuts, to name a few.
If you’re planning an activity on wheels, use caution to avoid crashing. Try to stay away from busy roads or highways, always wear a helmet and other protective gear (including mouth guards), and for particularly dangerous activities such as motorcycles, BMX/bike stunts, mountain biking on technical trails, or dirt bikes, consider a helmet that includes a face guard.
Summer is a great time to be outside, and if you take proper precautions to protect your face, jaw, mouth, and teeth, you can have a lot of fun without the pain and suffering from facial trauma. Talk to your dentist today to find out the best way to protect yourself during your favorite summer activities.
