Fox News reports that “many people have decided to forego the dentist and instead have turned to TikTok for oral care advice,” which “dentists warn can be very dangerous.” The “hashtag #DIYdentist, which has garnered over three million views on TikTok, is filled with videos sharing hacks to get perfect pearly whites.”
NBC News reported, “DIY practices that have gone viral include shaving down teeth with a nail file to make them appear straighter, wrapping office supply rubber bands around teeth to close gaps and removing braces at home with a spoon.” The article reported that “tutorials for composite veneers, which use resin to cover and change the shape of teeth, are also popular.” However, dentists “have expressed concern over the popularity of dental DIY content” due to the potential for permanent damage.