A dentist has warned against an online trend that claims to whiten your teeth as it could cause you serious health issues.
Dr Vikas Prinja, taking to TikTok under the username @thelondondentist, explained how the peroxide mouthwash ‘trend’ needs to stop.
He said: “Everyone wants white teeth, and dentists use the same ingredient [peroxide] to whiten your teeth in clinic, but is this safe?
“Peroxide needs to be at a high enough concentration to whiten your teeth. This sort of stuff is supposed to be diluted with water.
“When you use something that is that strong around your gums, it is going to gum burns. Peroxide is oxidising and when you use an oxidising mouthwash for too long you can get a condition called ‘black hairy tongue’.”
This is exactly what is say on the label – with the doctor showing a tongue almost covered in unpleasant looking black substance.
NHS guidance confirms that this condition is treatable – but can leave people struggling with anxiety over its appearance or an altered sense of taste.
In really high concentrations, Dr Prinja said the substance can “weaken the enamel” which can lead to problems like sensitivity, staining and more prone to issues like tooth decay.
Even more serious, if you swallow any of the potent chemical, it is considered “toxic” and could have fatal consequences. There are much safer ways to brighten up your smile.
How do professional dentists whiten teeth?
Dentists use a variety of methods to whiten teeth, including bleaching gels and laser whitening. The most important thing to note is a reputable dentist will be properly trained to carry out these treatments in a clean and safe environment.
The NHS website confirmed that any dentist (or registered dental therapists and hygienists on the prescription of a dentist) can whiten teeth as long as they’re registered with the General Dental Council.
To find out if a dental professional is registered you can check the online register on the General Dental Council website.
