Dentists have issued a warning over dangerous new trends on social media which they say could permanently damage your teeth.
The latest trend on TikTok sees people flossing their teeth with their hair.
The Mirror reports user @ unusualbeaut posted a video, writing: “This hair trick is amazing - you can’t tell me otherwise," while another wrote: “Hair floss… works every time.”
And one user even posted a video of him using his girlfriend’s hair to floss his teeth, writing: “Useful tips for this with girlfriends.”
Reena Wadia, founder of RW Perio, said: "Cleaning between your teeth is essential for everyone. Without this, you may be missing cleaning up to half of your mouth.
“However its so important to use the correct tools to clean between the teeth. Not using the right tools may cause trauma and lead to irreversible damage; things like hair, string, a fork, paper.”
Ms Wadia says the best tools to use to clean between your teeth are interdental brushes.
She added: “These have been specifically designed to clean the plaque and bacteria in between the teeth. There are various sizes and you might require a few for your mouth.
“The brushes need to feel super snug to ensure they are working as optimally. Floss is great too but I would only use floss if the interdental brushes don’t fit.”
The trend comes shortly after videos showed TikTok users attempting to file their teeth down to an even length using nail files.
Kami Hoss, CEO of The Super Dentists, told Refinery 29: “You only get one set of adult teeth to last you a lifetime.
“If you mess up cutting your own hair, it’ll grow back in a few weeks, but your tooth structure will be gone forever, and the potential damage you may cause will not be reversible.”
