Dentist reveals 'horrifying' results of patient's DIY dentistry - and the five at-home teeth hacks you should never try
- Australian dentist Dr Sam Koh revealed patient horror stories
- READ MORE: Dentist on the one mistake you make when brushing your teeth
A dentist has revealed the most 'horrifying' sights he's encountered inside patients' mouths - including a man who used wall plaster mesh and dental glue to keep his teeth from falling out.
Dr Sam Koh, who runs the Dental Boutique in Victoria, has treated thousands of patients with strange ailments over his career.
The dentist revealed he had a case where a patient had 'plaque, tartar, and decay everywhere' with several loose teeth held together with building materials.
Dr Koh's patient had used the DIY treatment for 12 months and only ate using two back molars before finally visiting a professional.
'The patient was in constant pain. Growing up he would have infections and abscesses. He would pop them and never get any treatment,' the dentist told 7NEWS.
The professional also treated a 22-year-old man who needed to have every single tooth extracted.
'He was on constant painkillers and antibiotics as the majority of his teeth were infected,' the dentist said. 'I had to extract all teeth and provide him new implant teeth.'
Dr Koh emphasised the importance of taking dental health seriously.
Australian dentist Dr Sam Koh revealed one of his patients used wall plaster mesh and dental glue to keep his teeth from falling out
'Teeth are the first thing people notice when you meet them. They play a crucial role in our quality of life, from preventing dental pain to enhancing our ability to enjoy food,' he told FEMAIL.
He further explained that dental health is closely linked to overall health, with the mouth often serving as an indicator of general well-being.
Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy issues, and even pneumonia can be associated with poor dental health.
Dr Koh concluded: 'Even if you think your teeth are healthy, regular dental visits are crucial. They allow us to prevent issues before they arise and provide guidance on proper dental care techniques.'
Dentists have warned the general public of the dangers of DIY dentistry.
From filing your teeth into a 'perfect' shape to using a magic eraser to remove stubborn stains, there seems to be a hack for every cosmetic dental concern.
But most of the cheap tricks will actually ruin your teeth and could cost thousands to fix, veteran dentist Dr Heath Fraser previously told FEMAIL.
'In recent years, concerning dental health trends have been posted to TikTok and viewed by millions of users: these include teeth-whitening with toxic cleaning products, DIY teeth shaping, and encouraging users to self-treat cosmetic procedures after seeing 'great' aesthetic results from other users on the app,' he said.
Adding that anyone who follows the trends are not only putting their smile at risk - but in many case their overall health.
Dr Fraser has been in the dental industry for over 15 years and wants people to understand treatments used in clinics are rigorously tested and continuously updated to ensure they are safe and effective.
People are using TikTok to share their DIY dental hacks, including filing down their own teeth and using rubber bands to 'make them straight' but experts warn it could cause lasting damage
Nail file shaping hack
In one video a woman can be seen saying 'no' over and over as she files down her teeth.
She went on to claim the video was shot two years before she uploaded it on TikTok - and she 'loves her smile' and hasn't had any negative side effects from the DIY job.
Dr Fraser looked into the trend and said while people were initially pleased with the results they complained about tooth sensitivity over time.
This is because they wear down the enamel, which ultimately leads to increased tooth decay, discolouration and damage including chips and cracks.
'Using any object to intentionally erode the surface of a tooth is highly irresponsible; once tooth enamel has been removed it is impossible to regenerate,' he said.
'Even when performed in the dental chair by a professional patients run the risk of eroding their tooth enamel.
'Patients who try DIY tooth shaping may require invasive procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers and even root canal treatment to resolve the erosion issue.'
Using the TikTok hacks is more likely to lead to serious dental problems in the long run - including permanently stained and cracked teeth
Raw charcoal brushing
Many TikTok users have detail their experience using activated charcoal to whiten their teeth, showing significantly brighter before-and-after results.
'Ironically, while initial results may reveal whiter teeth, using highly abrasive surfaces against teeth will wear down enamel and expose the yellow dentin underneath, causing them to permanently appear more yellow,' he said.
Some people have taken to using magic erasers to achieve a pearly white smile - but Dr Fraser says this too will do nothing but destroy your teeth in the long run.
Using a magic eraser
One video showing off the magic easer trend got 400,000 views in a matter of hours - with dozens of people commenting to say they planned to try the hack at home.
Dr Fraser said using something like a magic eraser might appear to work - but leads to yellowness long term
More commented after testing it out, praising the trick and saying they had 'no regrets' about using the eraser on their teeth.
'Similar to brushing with charcoal brushing, the magic eraser wears down a stained layer of enamel with a highly abrasive surface, and whilst this may cause teeth to appear initially whiter in a short TikTok video, the long-term consequences of wearing down enamel can result in discoloured, sensitive and, in rare cases, cracked or chipped teeth,' he said.
Brushing with peroxide
This became a huge trend after one TikTok influencer bought the chemical from the supermarket and applied it directly to her teeth.
The woman said the chemical is often found in dentist-approved whitening kits, insinuating it is safe. But Dr Fraser says that's far from the truth.
'Using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on your teeth and gums poses irreversible risk to the health of your teeth and can lead to tooth sensitivity, irritated gums and lips,' he said.
'Having whiter teeth does not necessarily correlate to healthy teeth, and patients should prioritise the health of their mouths to avoid painful consequences,' he added.
DIY rubber band braces
He understands having straight teeth is a priority for many Australians but says it should always be left to a professional.
Dr Fraser says the rubber band hack has been popular because of the high cost of braces - but adds it will likely cost more in the long run.
One such video showed a man sticking a traditional braces kit to his teeth using Gorilla glue.
The video was seen by more than ten-million people showing 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 should never be attached with Gorilla glue
'The thin, tight elastic bands used by users on social media can penetrate the gum, severely damaging the soft tissue in your mouth which may ultimately lead to serious irreversible damage, including your tooth falling out from the root,' he said.
And while your teeth will probably move Dr Fraser says the result won't necessarily be better, aesthetically speaking.
The Gorilla glue is 'next-level' according to the dentist.
'Using toxic substances and attempting to administer your own braces may also lead to serious health consequences such as severe poisoning and tooth loss,' he said.
