Dental Tips and Tricks on Insta and TikTok
Should You Listen to TikTok and Instagram for Teeth Care Advice?
In 2019, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reported that one in three children aged between six and eleven years old have untreated tooth decay. As parents look for ways to keep their children’s teeth healthy, more and more are turning to social media for advice. However, not everything you see on Instagram or TikTok is accurate; here’s why you should avoid taking dental advice from these platforms.
The Wrong Kind of Dental Advice
Unfortunately, not all advice out there is good advice. When it comes to teeth care, the wrong kind of advice can be downright dangerous! One example of bad advice is oil pulling—the practice of swishing oil around your mouth for 20 minutes or longer in an effort to whiten your teeth. This isn’t only ineffective, but it can also negatively affect your overall oral health as well.
Another piece of bad advice you may see on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok is brushing your teeth with activated charcoal powder or baking soda. While these ingredients are great for cleaning surfaces in your home, they’re far too abrasive to be used on your teeth! Using them could cause irreversible damage such as enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity if done over a prolonged period of time.
False Promises of Quick Fixes
One thing many people don’t realize about social media is that it tends to highlight dramatic transformations — even when it comes to teeth care! The truth is that most major changes take time — a lot more than what a few posts or videos can show you. If someone tells you they got straighter teeth in just two weeks or teeth whitening “with this one simple trick” in just minutes using some new technique they’ve discovered, it’s probably too good to be true! Unfortunately, this kind of false promise can lead people into using products that aren’t safe or effective for their oral health.
When it comes to taking care of something as important as your mouth, it’s best not to rely too heavily on sources like Instagram or TikTok for dental tips and tricks. Many posts contain inaccurate information or promises that are too good to be true. Instead, make sure you consult with a qualified dentist before making any decisions about treatments or products related to oral hygiene and health. That way, you can be sure that whatever steps you’re taking towards better oral health are safe and effective ones!
