10 News First: Dentists Warn To Stop Using At-Home Dental Treatments
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Finding a good life hack online can sometimes seem like a game changer, but dentists across the country are calling for social media influencers to stop promoting dangerous at-home dental treatments that can lead to chemical burns, serious infections, and long-term damage.
Kezia Dawn:
They’re the TikTok hacks making dentists squirm. Social media influencers using their online platforms to promote tips and tricks, but dentists say these viral videos are doing more harm than good.
Dr Michael Cai:
Baking soda itself is very abrasive.
Dr Stephen Liew:
There’s so many trends here that are influencing young people to think that they can improve their teeth using methods that are actually quite dangerous.
Kezia Dawn:
According to a recent survey, 22% of Australians have done some form of teeth winding, most common with those aged 24 to 34. Of those, just one third of people did it under a dentist’s supervision, while 39% used an online teeth whitening kit.
Dr Michael Cai:
These chemical products that’s very acidic can actually cause chemical burns. People actually lose a lot of gum tissue and burn their lips or the tongue or their cheeks.
Kezia Dawn:
The top five hacks dentists are concerned about include using a nail file to shave down teeth, toxic chemicals including cleaning products to whiten teeth, acidic techniques like rubbing lemons on the enamel, DIY hydrogen peroxide, and using rubber bands to close gaps as opposed to professional orthodontics.
Dr Michael Cai:
And the worst case I’ve seen is a teenage girl tried to put rubber band on her teeth to try to close the gaps. The band got stuck into the gums and caused a gum abscess.
Dr Stephen Liew:
If these methods were as safe and effective as they’re made out to be, why don’t dentists use them?
Kezia Dawn:
According to the experts, the easiest way to whiten your teeth is actually to go back to basics, brush and floss regularly and visit your dentist.
Dr Michael Cai:
If you’re going to drink red wine, tea, coffee, all the good stuff in life, just rinse your mouth afterwards.
Kezia Dawn:
Kezia Dawn for 10 News First.
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Kristen K.
I have been going to Dr Cai for almost two years and each time I visit he and the staff are so lovely and professional. I cannot recommend them enough.
Nikki J.
Best dentists I have ever been to. I even travelled to Pitt Street Dental when we lived interstate to see them. Very capable, thoughtful and kind dentists and team.