Dental experts' four DIY tips for straighter teeth as they warn against teeth filing

The TikTok trend of filing teeth at home to achieve a straighter smile is, unsurprisingly, a bad idea. The Mirror speaks to the experts for some DIY tricks you can use at home

Hailing from TikTok, videos of influencers filing their front teeth down to make them appear neater and straighter have been viewed millions of times, spawning countless copycats. But why is it such a very bad idea?

“Filing teeth with a nail file can cause significant damage and permanently harm the tooth structure and the protective enamel surrounding the tooth,” says Anni Seaborne, Head of General Dentistry at Bupa Dental Care.

For any dental work, it’s best to see an actual dentist of course. But there are some quick tricks to try at home too, to brighten and perfect. Here Anni and I share our guide to a megawatt smile.

‌There are four main types of orthodontic treatments to help straighten teeth: fixed, lingual, and removable braces, along with invisible aligners. They allow people to make subtle or more noticeable changes to the structure of the mouth.

1. Brace yourself

There are four main types of orthodontic treatments to help straighten teeth: fixed, lingual, and removable braces, along with invisible aligners. They allow people to make subtle or more noticeable changes to the structure of the mouth

2. The name is bond

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‌ Composite bonding is a solution for minor damage or gaps in teeth. A composite resin is attached to a tooth and shaped to restore its original appearance. The colour of the resin is matched to your teeth, so it will appear as though it is a natural part of the tooth.

‌ 3. Brush up

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Brushing twice a day and using interdental brushes daily are really vital steps in your oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth clean and gums healthy.

‌ 4. Red alert

‌Blue-toned red lipsticks can make your teeth appear whiter by contrasting with the yellow tones in your teeth, creating a brighter smile. These cool-toned shades enhance the natural whiteness of your teeth, unlike warm-toned lipsticks, which can emphasise yellow hues.