Viral videos online contain a wealth of ideas, everything from short educational videos to viral trends and “life hacks” that claim to make your life easier or more stylish in many cases.
Some of these so-called life hacks seem too good to be true, but others appear harmless enough at first glance and convince some people to try them out.
We’ve all seen the collection of viral videos showcasing unconventional methods for enhancing your teeth or jawline. These videos claim that things like mewing or getting fashion braces are the height of popularity right now, with many influencers sporting sparkling grins adorned with glitzy hardware.
But what they don’t tell you is that almost all of these trends can either harm your teeth, jaw, or bite, leading to permanent damage in some cases. To ensure you don’t fall victim to the claims of trending teeth hacks, the doctors at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) have put together this comprehensive guide on which viral trends to avoid, and what the consequences are for doing them yourself. Read on to learn how to protect your smile best.
Tricks Not Trends: A List of Harmful Tooth Trends to Avoid
Of all the trending “life hacks” surrounding your teeth and jaw, there are a few that stand out as the most harmful:
- Mewing
- Fashion Braces
- Tooth Gems
- Tooth Piercings
- Filing Your Teeth
Mewing:
- Not supported by scientific evidence to actually reshape your jaw
- May misalign teeth
- Improper tongue pressure may lead to difficulty chewing and speaking
Fashion Braces:
- Apply enough pressure to misalign teeth and bites
- Fake brackets, wires, and adhesive may contain harmful and potentially poisonous chemicals
- They are a potential choking hazard if the brackets fall off
- Loose wires and brackets can cause oral cuts and injury
- Can lead to serious infections of the teeth and gums
Tooth Gems:
- Permanently damage tooth enamel
- Create additional risks for cavities
- May make gum disease more likely
- Can lead to cracked or chipped teeth
- Require expensive professional removal
Tooth Piercings:
- Unavoidable permanent tooth damage
- Risk of infection
- Risk of tooth decay and need for removal
- Cracked and chipped teeth
- Potential nerve damage
Filing Your Teeth:
- Enamel damage and tooth sensitivity
- Misaligned teeth and bite issues
- Possible infection and long-term dental issues
- Irreversible Changes, which could be costly and complex to correct
Trend #1: Mewing
Considered one of the most popular viral trends of the past few years, mewing claims that by simply repositioning where your tongue rests in your mouth, you can gain a chiseled jawline. Thousands of videos featuring influencers “mewing” set to trendy music and a glitzy story of making one small change to your daily routine and seeing outstanding results.
There’s just one problem. None of it is true.
To date, there is not one single piece of credible scientific evidence that supports the claim that simply changing your tongue position can lead to a more desirable jawline. In fact, the opposite is very much true. Many people who’ve tried mewing have ended up with crooked teeth, trouble chewing or speaking, and other oral health issues as a result.
The fact is, your mouth has a complex mechanical structure that is designed to fit together in a particular way. Changing the natural position of your tongue, one of the strongest muscles in your body, significantly alters the way everything fits together. But instead of toning your jawline, it may wreck the alignment of your teeth.
Trend #2: Fashion Braces
Fashion braces, also known as fake cosmetic braces, have been trending since as early as 2018. The concept seems simple enough. You get fake braces (including brackets, wires, and adhesive) attached to your teeth that aren’t actually supposed to apply pressure to move anything. Users who jumped on this trend typically opted to get sparkly or colorful brackets, wires, and designs that draw the eye and make them stand out.
To the viewers at home, this trend looked totally harmless. If getting actual braces can’t hurt you, surely getting a fake version of braces that doesn’t actually do anything can’t hurt either, right? Unfortunately, fashion braces are anything but harmless.
First, there’s the quality of the kit to consider. Many fashion braces come in kits that can be mailed to you, allowing you to apply them yourself. However, depending on where you get this kit (which usually influences the cost), the fashion braces can be of extremely low quality, posing significant risks to your teeth and gums. For example, some kits ship with adhesives that are considered toxic or poisonous. In contrast, others ship with adhesives of such low quality that brackets and wires don’t remain attached to your teeth for long, creating serious choking hazards.
Second, even if the braces aren’t supposed to move your teeth, they still do by virtue of being bonded brackets with wires, which could apply enough pressure to change the position of your teeth. Even if fake cosmetic braces aren’t regularly tightened to move teeth into set positions, they still cause teeth to shift. However, without a professional orthodontist to guide that movement, like with typical braces, your teeth move along the paths of least resistance. The result is crooked or gapped teeth.
Finally, there’s the increased risk of infection and cavities to consider. Orthodontists carefully consider the shape of your mouth and jaw when designing your treatment plan. Fashion braces are designed to be one-size-fits-all. This means that you could be gluing brackets and wires to your teeth that don’t really fit well in your mouth. This can cause cuts to the inside of your mouth, which can irritate the gums and increase the risk of infection or gum disease.
Additionally, wearing fashion braces can make it more difficult to clean your teeth. Brackets and wires form new pockets where plaque can collect that aren’t easy to reach with normal tooth brushes. Orthodontists send you home with a kit and instructions on how to clean normal braces to prevent issues. But with fashion braces, you’re on your own. This can lead to an increased risk of cavities and more complex treatment in the future.
Trend #3: Tooth Gems
Tooth gems may seem like a fun and fashionable way to accessorize your smile, but they can come with serious consequences for your oral health. Unlicensed and unqualified individuals apply the gem, using a strong adhesive that requires roughening the tooth’s protective enamel surface. Once enamel is altered, it can’t grow back, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity, decay, and long-term damage. Even if the gem is removed later, the enamel won’t return to its original state.
Another problem with tooth gems is that they create small crevices where plaque and bacteria can accumulate. Similar to fashion braces, the edges of the gem and the bonding material make it more difficult to brush and floss effectively, which increases the risk of cavities forming in the area. Over time, these hidden bacteria can lead to decay, gum irritation, or even periodontal disease if not properly managed.
Tooth gems can also cause additional issues. If the gem loosens, there’s also the risk of accidentally swallowing or inhaling it. Because removal typically requires professional dental work, improperly removing the gem can strip even more enamel and worsen the damage.
Ultimately, tooth gems are purely cosmetic and offer no health benefits, while the risks they pose to enamel, gum health, and overall oral hygiene make them a poor choice for maintaining a strong and healthy smile. AAO orthodontists strongly recommend avoiding them altogether and choosing safer, non-permanent ways to express your style.
Trend #4: Tooth Piercings
Tooth piercings are one of the most damaging forms of dental body art because they require drilling directly into the tooth structure. This process removes healthy enamel and dentin, permanently weakening the tooth. Since enamel does not regenerate, the tooth will always be more prone to sensitivity, decay, and fractures once it has been pierced. In some cases, the drilling can even reach the inner pulp of the tooth, which may result in severe pain, nerve damage, or the need for root canal therapy.
Beyond the immediate damage caused by drilling, tooth piercings create an environment that is difficult to keep clean. The jewelry and the hole around it trap food particles and bacteria, making the tooth highly susceptible to cavities and infections. Because it is nearly impossible to brush and floss around a piercing properly, bacteria can quickly spread, leading to abscesses and even systemic infections if left untreated.
Tooth piercings also increase the risk of physical injury. The jewelry can put extra stress on the tooth, causing cracks or fractures while chewing. It may also rub against the gums, lips, or tongue, leading to irritation, cuts, or gum recession over time. Once the gum tissue pulls back, the roots of the teeth become exposed, which can lead to pain, sensitivity, and ultimately, tooth loss.
Even if the jewelry is removed, the damage from the piercing remains. Restorative dental work, such as crowns or fillings, is often necessary to repair a tooth, and in severe cases, extraction may be the only viable option. For these reasons, most orthodontic professionals strongly advise against tooth piercings, as the risks to oral health far outweigh any cosmetic benefit.
Trend #5: Filing Your Own Teeth
Filing your teeth at home has become a concerning trend on social media, but what may appear to be a quick fix for a smoother or more even smile can actually cause serious, permanent damage. When you file your teeth without professional supervision, you’re removing protective enamel, the hard outer layer that shields your teeth from sensitivity, decay, and wear. Once enamel is gone, it does not grow back, leaving the teeth weaker and more vulnerable for life.
Beyond enamel loss, at-home filing can create uneven edges or remove more tooth structure than intended. This can change the way your upper and lower teeth fit together, leading to bite problems, jaw pain, or accelerated wear. In some cases, filing too deeply can expose the dentin or even the pulp of the tooth, resulting in sensitivity, nerve damage, or the need for restorative treatments such as crowns or root canal therapy.
There’s also the risk of infection. Teeth that are filed improperly can develop microscopic cracks and rough surfaces, which can trap bacteria. This makes it easier for cavities to form and harder to maintain clean teeth. Over time, the damage may spread beyond the teeth, contributing to gum problems or even systemic infections if left untreated.
Orthodontic and dental professionals strongly advise against at-home tooth filing. While it may seem like a cosmetic shortcut, the long-term risks far outweigh any temporary aesthetic benefit.
Are There Any Safe Cosmetic Tooth Procedures?
Throughout this guide, we’ve highlighted several popular cosmetic tooth trends that can harm your smile. However, this does not mean that there aren’t some cosmetic procedures that can improve your smile and oral health. While these may not be as glitzy as some of the cosmetic trends discussed above, they are perfectly safe and still lead to a dazzling grin.
Healthy cosmetic tooth procedures include:
- Professional teeth whitening
- Veneers/Crowns
- Orthodontic treatments
Professional Teeth Whitening
One of the most popular options, professional whitening treatments are safe and effective. Unlike over-the-counter kits, dental whitening uses controlled methods and customized trays to minimize sensitivity while delivering noticeable results.
Dental Veneers or Crowns
Porcelain or composite veneers are thin shells that cover the front of the teeth to improve color, shape, and alignment. While some enamel is typically removed to place veneers, the procedure is done conservatively and under professional care. Veneers are long-lasting and provide a natural look.
Dental crowns, on the other hand, are caps that fully cover a tooth. They’re often recommended when a tooth is weakened, cracked, or severely discolored. Crowns restore both strength and appearance, making them a durable option for cosmetic and functional improvement.
Orthodontic Treatment
When people think of orthodontic treatment, they generally think of getting teeth straightened. Orthodontists use a variety of treatment methods, from braces to clear aligners, to help straighten your smile. In addition to improving your appearance, they also lead to better overall health. Orthodontic treatment corrects bite and jaw problems and can improve speech and chewing. But best of all, everything is done under the watchful eye of a highly experienced professional who creates a custom treatment plan specifically designed for your unique needs.
Want a Better Looking Grin? Trust an AAO Orthodontist
While trends like mewing, fashion braces, tooth gems, tooth piercings, and filing your teeth may promise quick fixes or style statements, the reality is that they often cause lasting harm to your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. If you’re looking to enhance the appearance and function of your smile safely, the best step you can take is to consult with a licensed orthodontist. All AAO Orthodontists are specially trained to correct misalignments, improve bite function, and create beautiful, healthy smiles using proven treatments that protect, rather than compromise, your oral health.
Use our Orthodontist Locator tool to find your nearest AAO orthodontists and start your path to a beautiful smile today!
