- People are putting their toothpaste into clear containers as part of a viral TikTok trend.
- A dentist told his TikTok followers the hack can actually make your toothpaste less effective.
- Instead, he say it's important to keep your toothpaste stored safely in its original packaging.
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A dentist is warning users on TikTok about the latest dental trend: putting a mix of toothpaste and mouthwash in clear containers.
While the trend is relatively less dangerous than other TikTok health trends before it like shaving down your teeth with a nail file or using elastic bands to fix gaps in your smile, dentist Dr. Suhail Mohiuddin warns it can still damage your teeth.
"The ingredients of toothpaste aren't UV-stable so exposing them to light can make them ineffective," the Chicago-based dentist told his 581,400 followers on TikTok. "Please, don't do this."
Ingredients in toothpaste can lose their ability to fight off bad bacteria when exposed to sunlight, which can mean brushing twice a day isn't as effective when it comes to maintaining dental health.
Over time, using ineffective toothpaste can lead to a build up of plaque, gum disease, bad breath and cavities, according to Healthline.