A dentist has revealed the ‘most horrifying’ scenes he has ever seen in patients’ mouths, including one man who used plaster gauze and dental glue to prevent his teeth from falling out.
Dr Sam Koh, who runs the Dental Boutique in Victoria, has treated thousands of patients with strange ailments in his career.
The dentist said he had had a patient with “plaque, tartar and decay everywhere” and that several teeth were loose but held together with building materials.
Dr. Koh’s patient had been undergoing the DIY treatment for 12 months and was eating with only two back molars before finally seeing a professional.
“The patient was in constant pain. Growing up he had infections and abscesses. He would pop them and never get treatment,” the dentist said. 7NEWS.
The professional also treated a 22-year-old man who had to have all of his teeth pulled.
“He was on constant painkillers and antibiotics because most of his teeth were infected,” the dentist said. “I had to pull all the teeth and give him new implants.”
Dr. Koh stressed the importance of taking dental health seriously.
An Australian dentist has revealed the ‘most terrifying’ images he has found in a patient’s mouth
‘Teeth are the first thing people notice when they come across them. They play a crucial role in our quality of life, from preventing toothaches to improving our ability to enjoy food,’ he told FEMAIL.
He further explained that dental health is closely related to overall health, with the mouth often acting as an indicator of overall well-being.
Conditions such as untreated diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy problems and even pneumonia can be linked to poor dental health.
Dr Koh concluded: ‘Even if you think your teeth are healthy, regular dental visits are crucial. They allow us to prevent problems before they arise and provide advice on proper dental care techniques.’
Dentists are warning the general public about the dangers of do-it-yourself dentistry.
From filing your teeth into the “perfect” shape to using a miracle eraser to remove stubborn stains, there seems to be a trick for every cosmetic dental problem.
But most cheap tricks will destroy your teeth and can cost thousands of pounds to repair, veteran dentist Dr Heath Fraser previously told FEMAIL.
“Over the past few years, TikTok has seen worrying oral health trends posted and viewed by millions of users, including teeth whitening with toxic cleaning products, DIY teeth shaping, and encouraging users to undergo cosmetic procedures after seeing ‘amazing’ aesthetic results from other users on the app,” he said.
He adds that anyone who follows the trends is not only jeopardizing their smile, but in many cases, their overall health.
Dr Fraser has been working in the dental industry for over 15 years and wants people to understand that the treatments used in clinics are rigorously tested and continually updated to ensure they are safe and effective.
People are taking to TikTok to share their DIY dental tricks, like filing their own teeth and using rubber bands to ‘straighten’ them, but experts warn this could cause permanent damage
Nail file shaping hack
A video shows a woman repeatedly saying “no” while filing her teeth.
She claimed the video was recorded two years before she posted it to TikTok. She “loves her smile” and has not experienced any negative side effects from the DIY project.
Dr Fraser investigated the trend and said that people were initially happy with the results, but over time they complained of sensitive teeth.
This is because they attack the enamel, which ultimately leads to more tooth decay, discoloration and damage such as chipping and cracking.
“It is highly irresponsible to deliberately erode the surface of a tooth with any object. Once the enamel is removed, it is impossible to regenerate it,” he said.
‘Even if the treatment is performed by a professional in the dental chair, patients still run the risk of having their tooth enamel damaged.
‘Patients who want to shape their own teeth may need invasive procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers and even root canal treatments to correct the erosion problem.’
Using TikTok hacks is more likely to lead to serious dental problems in the long run, including permanently discolored and cracked teeth
Coarse charcoal brush
Many TikTok users are sharing their experiences with teeth whitening with activated charcoal. The before and after results were significantly brighter.
“Ironically, the initial results will show whiter teeth, but if you use very abrasive surfaces on your teeth, it will wear away the enamel and expose the yellow dentin underneath, making your teeth look permanently yellower,” he said.
Some people use magic gums to get a pearly white smile. But according to Dr. Fraser, this will only damage your teeth in the long run.
Using a magic eraser
A video showing off the magic easer trend was viewed 400,000 times in just a few hours, with dozens of people commenting saying they wanted to try the trick at home.
Dr. Fraser said that using something like a miracle eraser may seem to work, but in the long run it will lead to yellowness
After trying it, more people responded: they were very pleased with the trick and said they had “no regrets” about using the eraser on their teeth.
“Similar to brushing with charcoal, the Miracle Eraser wears away the discolored layer of enamel with a very abrasive surface. This may initially make teeth look whiter in a short TikTok video, but in the long run, the wearing away of enamel can lead to discolored, sensitive, and in rare cases, cracked or chipped teeth,” he said.
Polishing with peroxide
This became a huge trend after a TikTok influencer bought the chemical at the grocery store and applied it directly to her teeth.
The woman said the chemical is commonly found in dentist-approved whitening kits, and suggested it was safe. But Dr. Fraser says that’s far from the truth.
“Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth and gums poses an irreversible risk to your dental health and can lead to sensitive teeth, irritated gums and lips,” he said.
“White teeth do not necessarily mean healthy teeth. Patients should prioritize their oral health to avoid painful consequences,” he added.
DIY elastic brackets
He understands that straight teeth are a priority for many Australians, but says it should always be left to a professional.
According to Dr. Fraser, the rubber band trick is popular because of the high cost of braces, but he adds that it will likely become even more expensive in the long run.
One of those videos showed a man applying traditional braces to his teeth using Gorilla Glue.
The video was viewed by more than ten million people and shows how quickly ‘bad information’ can spread on the platform.
Some people use DIY braces kits, but Dr. Fraser says these kits are only effective when used by a professional, and they should never be attached with Gorilla Glue.
“The thin, tight rubber bands that social media users use can penetrate the gums and severely damage the soft tissues in the mouth. This can eventually lead to serious, irreversible damage, including tooth loss from the root,” he said.
And while your teeth will likely shift, Dr. Fraser says the outcome won’t necessarily be better, aesthetically speaking.
According to the dentist, Gorilla Glue is ‘next-level’.
“Using toxic substances and attempting to fit braces yourself can also have serious health consequences, including severe poisoning and tooth loss,” he said.