There was a significant amount of bad that happened in 2020, and one thing that should have gone unnoticed was a little trend on TikTok. This trend involved a do-it-yourself method of straightening the teeth that were more than a little concerning. It was downright threatening to the lifetime oral health of anyone that followed it. This trend involved using sandpaper or a nail file to slowly grind down your teeth to eliminate any irregularities. While dental shaving can be an effective method of correcting oral imperfections, it needs to be done by a qualified professional. The long-term consequences of doing it yourself cannot be overemphasized.

Understanding The Risks of Dental Shaving

If you’re like most people, the words ‘dental’ and ‘shaving’ in the same sentence make your teeth ache. Then add to it that this process isn’t being done as part of a valid medical procedure. Instead, it involves everyday people taking their oral health dangerously into their own hands. Using a nail file, sandpaper, or other tools, they set to grinding away real or imagined imperfections in their teeth. If you haven’t winced at least once reading this, you’re tougher than the person writing it. Without the proper training, there are serious oral health consequences that can result from trying to do this.

• The first thing to realize is the fact that your teeth are not a solid structure of a single substance. Instead, they’re a tri-layer organ with hard enamel on the outside, the dentin in between, and a soft sensitive pulp at the center. Enamel doesn’t grow back, so when it’s filed away, it’s gone.
• There are dental restoration techniques that do involve dental shaving. Once the material is removed, it’s replaced with crowns or veneers. There is a precise amount of enamel removed in these treatments to ensure the teeth are protected and healthy.
• The results of DIY shaving are unpredictable, and even when they look good, they may not last. This is even more significant if there are other factors involved that caused the imperfection, such as Bruxism. 
• Costly treatments may be necessary to reverse the damage done by DIY dental shaving.

Clinical dental shaving may be suggested in cases where:

• It’s necessary to complete cosmetic treatments that will enhance the appearance of your teeth and prepare them for further restoration.
• Jaw pain and improper bite are being caused by a malformed bite. This is common when treating certain causes of TMJ Disorder.

In certain cases, your dentist may also suggest that dental shaving be used to reshape the teeth in the rear of your mouth. This is known as occlusal equilibration. The procedure can help your teeth fit together, prevent further wear, and reduce muscle strain or spasms occurring with TMJ. This procedure can help create a bit that’s smooth and even reshape your teeth. Dental crowding is also sometimes addressed using dental shaving.

Contact Your Dental Specialist To Learn More

If you want to investigate the facts about dental shaving, it’s time for a call to your dentist. They’ll be able to fully explain the dangers of attempting a DIY process like this one. They’ll also be able to guide about whether dental shaving is appropriate for your case and schedule an appointment to do it properly.