Author: savannadental

The social media platform TikTok is becoming increasingly popular, though dental professionals are warning users about “dental hacks” that are being promoted on the platform. Instead of being helpful, these “hacks” are actually dangerous, and can lead to long-term oral health problems.

The social media platform TikTok continues to grow in popularity, with its user base growing exponentially in recent months.

While much of the content on TikTok is light-hearted, comedic or heart-warming, there is also a dark side to the platform.

Recently, concerns have been raised over DIY “dental hacks” that have been circulating on TikTok. These “hacks” address issues such as trying to whiten teeth, remove gaps between teeth, and even attempts to fix uneven teeth.

These are all problems that can only be properly addressed by a dental professional. However, with many users actively trying out these techniques, it seems there is a general lack of awareness of the damage such “hacks” can do.

Now, due to a surge in interest in these videos, oral health professionals are warning that impressionable youngsters, and even adults, are at risk of doing more harm than good to their oral health, should they engage in some of these “hacks”.

What is TikTok?

For those that aren’t aware, TikTok is a social media platform – primarily used as an app on a smartphone – that lets its users upload short videos, which are then liked, commented on and shared by its users.

In 2020 alone, the app was downloaded more than 315 million times, while other statistics show that there are over 65million monthly TikTok users in the US alone [1].

The platform has proven to be most popular with teenagers, however the app has done harm, as well as good. Social media has been criticised for promoting unrealistic body types, and TikTok appears to have negatively affected the self-esteem and mental wellbeing of many teenagers [2].

Due to the supposed importance of achieving a “perfect” body image (including the appearance of teeth), many resort to trying dangerous things to try and attain such looks. As the 11-19 age range typically doesn’t have the money needed to get professional treatment, they resort to “hacks” to try and get the same result.

The “Dental Hacks”

TikTok is full of what is referred to as “dental hacks”. A simple search of that term brings up thousands of videos, many of which show actions that promise to address tooth problems, but that actually risk serious harm.

These “hacks” are produced by users that are far from dental professionals. Rather, they are unlicensed, everyday people, whose impressionable “followers” then copy them.

These users provide “advice” or “guidance” to users, whilst promising excellent results in terms of the appearance of their teeth. But in actual fact, these “hacks” are dangerous.

Among the “dental hacks” that have gained the most interest are:

• Teeth whitening through peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide has long been linked with improving the color of our teeth [3]. However, hydrogen peroxide is mainly used as a bleaching agent, as an antiseptic or disinfectant, and in fertilisers. When hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the mouth, it irritates the gums, and can make our teeth more sensitive. Worryingly, the most viewed videos show users mixing 3% hydrogen peroxide with water. To put this into perspective, in the United Kingdom, the legal limit of over-the-counter solutions of hydrogen peroxide is 0.1%. Solutions of 3% hydrogen peroxide are incredibly strong, and can cause serious damage to the teeth and gums. Other tooth whitening “hacks” seen on TikTok include brushing teeth with bleach or even using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges – which contain harmful chemicals. – on the teeth.

• Nail filing teeth: One of the most concerning trends on TikTok shows various users using a nail file to even out their teeth, This is done in an apparent effort to make their teeth look straighter. Worryingly, teeth will not grow back after being filed. A nail file should never be used on teeth, as it can introduce harmful bacteria to the mouth. Furthermore, it is known to damage enamel, which is what protects our teeth from pain, cavities and discoloration [4]. Consistent use of a nail file will expose the nerve of the tooth, which can cause excruciating pain and long-term damage.

• Closing gaps between the teeth: Another popular video shows a user displaying how she was supposedly able to close a gap between her two front teeth. She apparently used rubber bands to push her teeth together. But this is actually a dangerous thing to do, with again this trend risking damage to the mouth, with the bones around the teeth becoming impacted by such actions.

• Plaque scraping: Whenever a person visits the dentist, one of the most common things that a dentist will do is use a plaque scraper – also known as a dental scaler – in order to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. Removing plaque helps to stop tooth decay and improves the health of gums. However, plaque scraping is not something that should be done at home, rather, it should only be done in the confines of a dental clinic by qualified staff. It takes proper training to know how to use these scrapers properly, something that is taught at dental school. They are sharp tools, and incorrect use can result in permanent damage to the gum tissue, or trauma to the cheeks or tongue.

• Flossing with hair: While flossing is an important part of good oral hygiene, flossing appliances are specifically designed in order to achieve their goal of getting rid of plaque between teeth. While some may argue that hair works just as well for flossing, it is actually very risky, as it can cause trauma to the mouth, or irritate the gums.

Dental professionals’ warning

Understandably, the rise in interest in these trends have concerned oral professionals, who face having to treat those who have affected their oral health as a result of engaging in such trends.

Dr. Amber Bonnaig, of DentaQuest, is among those to be concerned. She has stated that the “makeshift dental hacks are really concerning and send the exact wrong message to kids about how to care for your teeth” [5].

Bonnaig goes on to say that “performing your own dental treatments – particularly like some of these TikTok videos – can cause significant, long-lasting damage to your mouth and teeth, as well as your overall health” [5].

Meanwhile, the Oral Health Foundation released a statement a few months ago where they mentioned that they were “extremely concerned” for the health and safety of TikTok users, due to the high amount of DIY dental advice on the app [6].

What can parents do?

It is important for parents to maintain regular communication with their children, especially as they navigate through their teenage years, where they are very impressionable, and vulnerable to outside influence.

Ultimately, safe “dental hacks” don’t exist. The only way to truly protect our teeth and maintain strong oral health is to engage in excellent oral hygiene.

This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink, and not smoking also helps.

It is important for any potential oral problems to be addressed early. By attending regular check-ups, any oral problems can be addressed quickly. This helps to prevent more intense pain later on, if any dental problems are left untreated.

Parents can help their children to avoid such “hacks” by promoting oral hygiene from a young age, and discussing such “hacks” with their children, and educating them on the consequences of such trends.

What we can offer at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we offer our patients a wide range of services and treatments, allowing us to treat a plethora of dental conditions. We do our utmost to ensure that our patients receive a comfortable and caring experience when visiting us.

Our dental clinic is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer services like regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and even some cosmetic services such as tooth whitening.

Following a routine check-up, if further treatment is required, we provide our patients with a clear treatment plan, and give them a voice in any decisions made.

Our Calgary based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

If you need dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be able to help. This can include advice on treating bad breath, gum disease, the effect our diet has on our oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

Each of the videos outlined above promise to treat common “problems”, only without the hefty price tag. But as we have shown in this article, these “dental hacks” can cause significant harm.

In fact, all of the areas outlined do have fixes. For instance, tooth whitening is a cosmetic form of dentistry that people can purchase, while instead of filing teeth to make them appear straighter, braces or even veneers can produce the same effect, only that they are also far safer.

If anything does go wrong, a qualified dental professional will be able to step in and help – something that will not be the case when a person becomes involved in a dental emergency at their home.

Summary

DIY “dental hacks” are nothing new, and everyone in dentistry is well aware of how the prices of treatment can put people off – which unfortunately makes these low-cost hacks all the more appealing.

However, they can do serious damage, and it is always best to leave any oral treatment to dental professionals, who have gone through significant training in order to effectively treat dental problems.

Whether it is for a regular check-up, advice or treatment, we hope you visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, and see more about what we offer our patients. We would love to see you visit our clinic soon!

• [1] Statista. (2021). Statistics and facts about TikTok. Available: https://www.statista.com/topics/6077/tiktok/. Last accessed: 14th August 2021.
• [2] Nesi, J. (2020). The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health. North Carolina Medical Journal. 81(2), p116-121.
• [3] Tredwin, C. J., Naik, S., Lewis, N. J., & Scully, C. (2006). Hydrogen peroxide tooth-whitening (bleaching) products: Review of adverse effects and safety issues. British Dental Journal. 200(1), p371-376.
• [4] NHS. (2019). Tooth decay. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tooth-decay/. Last accessed: 14th August 2021.
• [5] DentaQuest. (2021). Parents, kids warned against viral “dental hacks” on TikTok. Available: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/08/05/2275758/0/en/Parents-kids-warned-against-viral-dental-hacks-on-TikTok.html. Last accessed: 14th August 2021.
• [6] Oral Health Foundation. (2020). Charity alarmed by latest batch of dangerous DIY dental hacks to come out of TikTok. Available: https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/charity-alarmed-by-latest-batch-of-dangerous-diy-dental-hacks-to-come-out-of-tiktok. Last accessed: 14th August 2021.

Bad breath is a common, yet difficult thing to live with, and many of us worry about having bad breath throughout the day. Practicing excellent oral hygiene is the best way to combat bad breath. However, new research shows that a thumb-sized sensor could help detect bad breath for you!

Bad breath is a common source of concern, anxiety and embarrassment. It is one of those topics that is difficult to ask others for an honest opinion about, and even more difficult to tell someone about their bad breath.

But recent research that has focused on studying ways of detecting bad breath has found that a specially-constructed, thumb-sized device could allow us to automatically detect if we have bad breath.

Finding an accurate method to detect bad breath has been a topic of interest for a long time for researchers, especially given how common the issue of bad breath is for people around the world. Therefore, this is an exciting development.

What is bad breath?

Many people have bad breath now and then, while others have long-term problems with bad breath – which is a medical condition called Halitosis.

Bad breath affects many people, with statistics suggesting approximately 60million people in the United States alone suffer from chronic halitosis [1].

Bad breath is linked to the levels of a gas named hydrogen sulfide that is present in our mouths. This is the gas that causes bad breath.

From a dental perspective, persistent bad breath is often a sign of halitosis or gum disease, and therefore early identification can be very helpful in preventing worsening oral health.

Aside from physical health, bad breath can also be a problem socially. A study in the United Kingdom found that bad breath was the “biggest turn off” for people looking for a new partner [2]. Bad breath can also negatively impact mental health, with low self-esteem and anxiety commonly associated with those who have bad breath [3].

The causes of bad breath

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath. Toothpaste not only effectively cleans the mouth, but it also leaves a minty taste behind, keeping our breath fresh and pleasant.

But when people avoid brushing their teeth, neglecting to floss, and ignoring their tongue, it results in the build-up of bacteria in and between the teeth and gums, which leads to rotten-smelling gases to emit.

Aside from poor oral hygiene, other common causes of bad breath or halitosis include foods, diseases and tobacco.

Many things cause short-term bad breath, such as strong-flavoured foods like garlic and onions. But others, like smoking, can cause both short and long-term breath quality problems. Smoking also stains teeth and irritates gums [4].

Certain medications and medical conditions are also linked to bad breath. Dry mouth, some gastrointestinal conditions and even diabetes can all worsen breath [5].

The Research

There has been significant research in the past into ways of detecting bad breath. But while some devices already exist, their accuracy and legitimacy has been questioned. These devices also require exhaled air to be tested on expensive scientific equipment, therefore making it impractical for general public use.

But thanks to a new study, this could change. The recent research was published in the ACS Nano journal, and was carried out by researchers at the South Korea-based Advanced Institute of Science and Technology [6].

The researchers have been able to create a new sensor that is able to detect the levels of hydrogen sulfide in breath – which, as mentioned earlier, is the gas that leads to bad breath.

The researchers created a solution, which consisted of different levels of sodium chloride, metal salt, platinum metal nanoparticles and tungsten. The solution was then manufactured into tiny fibres using a technique called electrospinning [6].

Researchers used different solutions and quantities of chemicals in order to find the most effective final solution, which was measured by the solution with the highest reactivity to hydrogen sulfide.

The sensor would combine with the above solution to detect levels of gas, temperature, pressure and humidity, in order to ascertain breath quality.

When tested, the sensor was able to identify bad breath 86% of the time when measuring exhaled air. The researchers suggested that a process of filtering would lead to even more accurate results [6].

As a result of these findings, the researchers have suggested that a small, thumb-sized device could soon be built, which could be sold to the general public – providing them with rapid results on the quality of their breath [6].

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Here at Savanna Dental, we are happy to offer our patients a vast range of services. We are based in a convenient location within Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

We strive for patient satisfaction, and ensure that we provide our visitors with a comfortable, caring and reassuring experience.

We discussed earlier about how bad breath can be a sign of health problems, and this is consistent with any oral health issues – it is important to attend regular check-ups to check overall oral health.

The earlier that any problems are detected, the better the chance of recovery. We therefore recommend that our patients see us at Savanna Dental at least twice a year for a regular check-up.

If further treatment is required following a dental check-up, we provide our patients with a clear treatment plan, whilst giving them a voice in their treatment.

Just some of the many services we offer include cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and even cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening.

The best thing we can all do to avoid extra treatment is to practice excellent oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and potentially using a tongue scraper – with this helping to protect against bad breath.

Avoiding smoking, sugary foods and drink and alcohol wherever possible can also protect our oral health.

Our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which provides affordable and totally transparent fees.

Summary

Recent studies certainly suggest that dental health is going to be aided by technological advancements. As well as this bad breath device, other recent developments include the possibility of predicting tooth loss, and even a candy that could lead to enamel restoration (click here to know more).

The study above into bad breath is another example of exciting developments being made in dentistry. However, for now, the focus must remain on practicing excellent oral hygiene.

That is the best way of staving off the threat of bad breath, and also helps to fight against dental problems.

We hope that you visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental soon! You can visit our website by clicking here https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can find out more about us, and the various services that we offer our patients.

• [1] American Dental Association. (2003). Council on Scientific Affairs: Association report: Oral Malodor, Journal of American Dental Association. 134(1), p209-214.
• [2] Oral Health Foundation. (2019). Bad breath is biggest barrier to landing your Valentine’s Day date, reveals survey. Available: https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/bad-breath-is-biggest-barrier-to-landing-your-valentines-day-date-reveals-survey. Last accessed: 30th July 2021. Last accessed: 11th June 2021.
• [3] Kisely, S. (2016). No Mental Health without Oral Health. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 61(5), p277-282.
• [4] NHS Choices. (2019). Bad breath. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bad-breath/. Last accessed: 30th July 2021.
• [5] Tomova, R., & Panov, V. (2016). Bad breath in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Scripta Scientifica Medica. 48(4), p48-52.
• [6] Shin, H., Kim, D-H., Jung, W., Jang, J-S., Hwa Kim, Y., Lee, Y., Chang, K., Lee, J., Park, J., Namkoong, K., & K, I-D. (2021). Surface Activity-Tuned Metal Oxide Chemiresistor: Toward Direct and Quantitative Halitosis Diagnosis. ACS Nano. Available: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.1c01350.

Strong oral hygiene can help us in many ways. One such part of effective oral hygiene is flossing each day. Recent research has suggested that tooth loss is linked to cognitive decline, which therefore shows the importance of adopting excellent oral hygiene, which appears to help battle against cognitive conditions like Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene. The simple action of passing a thin cord between our teeth can have huge benefits, with food and dental plaque being removed.

The intention is to clean those hard-to-reach areas in our mouth that a toothbrush can’t quite get to. Flossing regularly can help to prevent gum disease and the build up of plaque, which therefore improves our oral health [1].

Interestingly, poor oral hygiene has been linked to cognitive decline. This potential link has been researched heavily in the past, which has yielded inconsistent results [2].

However, a recent study suggests there is a certain link between poor oral hygiene and cognitive decline [3]. This study reinforces the importance of flossing as part of our day-to-day oral health routine, and suggests it can help to prevent cognitive decline.

The Study

The study in question was a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at The New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The research analysed 14 pre-existing studies that investigated a link between tooth loss and cognitive decline.

After combining the 14 studies, there were 34,074 participants, with 4,689 cases of people with diminished cognitive function – such as having Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease [3].

The results showed that adults with more tooth loss had a 1.48 times higher risk of cognitive impairment. Moreover, tooth loss was also linked to a 1.28 times higher risk of developing Dementia [3].

Furthermore, the more teeth that are missing – the higher the risk of cognitive impairment. These are very worrying statistics, and shows the importance of strong oral hygiene to protect against tooth loss and gum disease.

Another interesting finding that the study concluded was that for those that lose teeth, they were likelier to have cognitive decline if they didn’t have dentures. This was an unexpected finding, but shows how dentures can be very effective for our oral health.

What the results mean

Senior author Bei Wu – who is a Professor in Global Health at the college – said “Given the staggering number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia each year, and the opportunity to improve oral health across the life span, it’s important to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between poor oral health and cognitive decline” [3].

The authors of the study stated that limited access to dental care was a big problem and was contributing to this situation. An example of where this is also happening in Canada is the Sioux Lookout, where similar problems exist (click here to read more).

The authors attempted to look for consistencies to draw conclusions on what caused these results. They suggested that the problem of missing teeth can affect chewing, which has the potential to make a person’s diet unhealthier.

Moreover, tooth loss can also happen as a result of gum disease, which involves inflammation, and already has a pre-existing link to cognitive impairment [4]. Untreated gum disease also increases the risk of developing other health conditions [5].

The importance of oral hygiene

The findings of this study show us all how important strong oral hygiene is. While many people brush their teeth twice a day, not many floss as well. But this study shows that flossing should be an important part of our oral health routine.

Flossing should be an every-day part of our oral health routine. Importantly, this routine should extend to our wider diet – including trying to avoid sugary foods wherever possible, along with drinks with a high-sugar content and alcohol.

It is most crucial to attend regular dental check-ups, as these check-ups help us to detect problems early. The earlier that oral problems are detected, the easier they are to treat. Dental problems won’t go away, therefore they should be acted on as soon as possible.

What we offer our patients at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we are proud to offer our patients a vast array of services, whilst providing them with a convenient, caring and comfortable experience. Our dental clinic is based in an easy-to-reach part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

As we have mentioned, getting regular dental check-ups is important. When treatment is required following a check-up, then we will provide our patients with a treatment plan that is suited to their circumstances.

Among the services we provide at our Calgary dental clinic are regular cavity fillings, root canals, and dentures. The study mentioned earlier shows how useful dentures can be. Dental implants can be a useful alternative to dentures, if you want to avoid them. We also provide some cosmetic dentistry treatments, including teeth whitening.

We mentioned flossing earlier, and it is likely that some people will be new to the practice of flossing. We can give you advice on how is best to floss, or advice on any other dental issues you have.

Accessing dental care in Canada is renowned for being difficult, and this poor access, along with the high costs involved, puts many people off visiting the dentist. However, our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means that we offer affordable and transparent care to our patients.

Summary

Cognitive decline largely appears inevitable, with cases of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease continuing to rise [6]. For many years, efforts have been made to try and find a way of addressing these rising numbers. It seems that good oral hygiene can make a difference, which underlines the importance of us all taking our oral health seriously.

Our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental offers our patients a wide range of services, as mentioned above. We hope that you consider coming to our clinic for your regular check-ups. You can visit our website by clicking here https://savannadentalclinic.ca, which will give you the chance to read more about us and what we offer.

• [1] Bauroth K, Charles C.H., Mankodi, S. M., Simmons, B. S., Zhao, Q, Kumar, L. D. (2003). The efficacy of an essential oil antiseptic mouthrinse vs. dental floss in controlling interproximal gingivitis. Journal of the American Dental Association. 134 (3), p359–365.
• [2] Stewart, R., Weyant, R. J., Garcia, M. E., Harris, T., Launer, L. J., & Satterfield, S. (2013). Adverse Oral Health and Cognitive Decline: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 61(2), p177-184.
• [3] Qi, X., Zhu, Z., Plassman, B. L., & Wu, B. (2021). Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Tooth Loss With the Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2021.05.009.
• [4] Glascoe, A., Brown, R., Mercer, J., & Lawrence, L. (2015). The Impact of Periodontal Disease upon Osteoporosis, Cognitive Impairment, Respiratory Diseases, Kidney Disease and Cancer. International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Health. 1(5), p1-8.
• [5] Beydoun, M. A., Beydoun, H. A., Hossain, S., El-Hajj, Z. W., Weiss, J., & Zonderman, A. B. (2020). Clinical and Bacterial Markers of Periodontitis and Their Association with Incident All-Cause and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia in a Large National Survey. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 75(1), p157-172.
• [6] Alzheimer’s Society. (2020). The UK’s biggest killer: why are deaths from dementia on the rise?. Available: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/research-dementia-UK-biggest-killer-on-the-rise. Last accessed: 16 July 2021.