While we all know we shouldn’t take anything we see on social media as fact, it’s far more common than we’d like to admit for users to try their hand at new hacks or practices without verifying they’re effective or safe. Whether it’s a new skin-care ingredient or hair-styling trick, TikTok feeds us a constant flow of new “hacks” to try daily. The thing is, many of them not only yield less-than-ideal results but can harm your health in the long run.
This is especially true of TikTok’s viral smile trends. Our teeth’ health directly informs our bodies’ overall health, so taking advice from the internet on how to improve your smile can do more damage than you might think. While certain trends may seem harmless, tons of TikTok smile trends are actually worsening the oral health of their proponents. Ahead, expert dentists debunk the biggest internet-viral oral health trends, from oil pulling to at-home whitening.
Featured Experts
- Nargiz Schmidt, DDS is a cosmetic dentist in New York
- Dr. Lisa Creaven the co-founder of Made by Dentists
3 TikTok Smile Trends You Should Never Try, According to Dentists
Oil Pulling
The first TikTok smile trend our expert dentists warn against trying is one that took over explore pages and feeds earlier this year, leading thousands to place orders for coconut oil in hopes of a cleaner, brighter smile: oil pulling. In essence, oil pulling consists of swishing edible oils, like coconut oil, around the mouth to provide a deeper clean. But, as Dr. Schmidt explains, oil pulling can actually wreak havoc on your overall oral health. “Oil pulling, although popular, lacks scientific backing and can lead to neglecting essential brushing habits,” Dr. Schmidt notes, acknowledging that many users began replacing their daily flossing with oil pulling, which can have the opposite effect on oral health.
Charcoal Toothpaste
Another endlessly viral TikTok smile “hack,” charcoal toothpaste and other charcoal products have taken over social media, boasting natural, at-home whitening benefits. But, Dr. Creaven urges patients not to take part. “Charcoal was one of the worst trends that I have seen because for a lot of people,” she says. “It has caused irreversible enamel damage to users and, ironically, darker teeth for a lot of people.” Dr. Schmidt agrees, noting that “Charcoal toothpaste, while touted for its whitening effects, is abrasive and may contribute to enamel erosion over time.”
DIY Whitening
In the age of social media, we’re all constantly looking for quick fixes or easy, cheap solutions to our cosmetic issues, like discolored teeth. Our doctors warn, though, that DIY whitening techniques can lead to endless oral health issues. “Another TikTok smile trend that was really popular during COVID was people making at-home whitening solutions mixing household bleach with baking powder,” says Dr. Creaven. “Using hydrogen peroxide in uncontrolled levels and then adding a physical abrasive element from baking powder is up there with the worst things to do to your teeth. It can cause permanent sensitivity and enamel erosion and serious inflammation.”
Dr. Schmidt agrees, emphasizing that using ingredients like baking soda or vinegar to whiten teeth can cause enamel damage and irritate the gums. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for your smile is visit your dentist regularly. “These quick-fix solutions can be misleading,” says Dr. Schmidt. “Only regular professional care can achieve the best and most lasting results in oral health.”
