Warning over dangerous Tik Tok teeth whitening trend using bleach
Dental experts say the DIY beauty trend can cause burns to the gum and even tooth loss.
by Sophie Law, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/sophie-law/Teenagers are using undiluted bleach to whiten their teeth in a dangerous new Tik Tok trend.
Videos uploaded to the social media platform show users applying hydrogen peroxide, purchased from eBay, directly to teeth for up to a minute long.
The chemical, which is more commonly used in hair bleach, fertilisers, antiseptic and cleaning products, can prove harmful if not used properly.
Leading dental experts are now warning the worrying DIY trend can cause burns to the gums and even tooth loss.
It comes as dermatology experts urge social media users not take to part in other worrying Tik Tok beauty trends.
These include using chemicals to 'scrape off' moles at home, eyelash glue to plump lips and applying sunscreen certain parts of the face to create a contouring effect.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the active whitening agents used in over-the-counter and professional products to achieve a brighter smile.
Under UK law, teeth-whitening products can be sold to the public if they contain no more than 0.1% of the chemical or it should be administered by a dentist.
Bottles of undiluted hydrogen peroxide being used in clips,on Tik Tok, which cost just £4, contain 3% - 30 times the amount allowed in shop-bought products.
The British Dental Association told the BBC that using the wrong products at home could cause "permanent damage."
"Using higher concentrations unsupervised, as some videos advocate, raises the risk of damage to teeth and gums, including burns to the mouth, tooth and gum sensitivity, as well as irritated or inflamed gums," a representative said.
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The Daily Record has contacted Tik Tok for comment.