Almost everyone has tried a life hack or two they saw on social media, but there are some trends you should steer clear of. Multiple videos are floating around social media, showing people filing their teeth to make them appear more even. You may wonder, how harmful can filing your teeth be. People file their nails all the time! However, filing your teeth can cause a lot of damage to your smile.
Unlike nails and hair, teeth are permanent and will not grow back after part of the structure is removed. Your teeth are covered in a layer of enamel that protects them. When filing your teeth, you are removing this crucial restorative layer. Enamel will not regenerate once it is gone, leaving the tooth more susceptible to infection, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.
Risks of Filing Your Teeth Yourself
- Damaged enamel
- Exposed nerve
- Infection
- Tooth sensitivity
- Increased risk of tooth decay
- Yellow teeth
- Increased risk of broken or chipped teeth
What Can I Do About Uneven Teeth?
You may have a tooth that appears longer than the others, or you may have a chipped tooth that looks uneven. You do not have to settle for uneven teeth, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to determine the best treatment to perfect your smile.
Orthodontists understand the structure of the tooth far more than most people. This should be no surprise since they attend four years of dental school and three additional years of school to become an orthodontist. Orthodontists can figure out why the teeth are uneven in the first place. Sometimes uneven teeth can be corrected from orthodontic treatment such as clear aligners or braces, which keep your precious enamel intact.
Your orthodontist can determine if professional filing, enameloplasty, is a good option for you or if you would benefit from another type of treatment. Enameloplasty is performed by an orthodontist or dentist to ensure it is done safely and looks seamless. Your orthodontist will measure the thickness of your enamel, evaluate your bite, and polish the filed teeth.
It is important to note that teeth continually shift throughout a person’s lifetime. Your teeth could shift again in a few years and having shorter teeth may cause more alignment issues than you predicted.
Trust Your Smile With The Experts
If you are unhappy with the alignment of your teeth, schedule an orthodontic consultation. Your orthodontist will work with you to safely craft the smile of your dreams. Something as important as your teeth shouldn’t be messed around with. Trust your smile with the experts!
