Dentist Debunks Toothpaste Dispenser TikTok Trend: 'Worst Combination'

TikTok hacks never fail to surprise but this latest dental hack has shocked even professionals in the field, with one dentist even dubbing it the "worst combination" for your teeth, despite the videos racking up millions of views.

Birthed on TikTok, this hack suggested viewers mix equal parts toothpaste and mouthwash in a bowl before decanting it into a soap dispenser. The idea is that users can then do two jobs in one go, or pump, by brushing with the mixture.

For most, the hack was a way to organize and create an aesthetically pleasing bathroom with a simple dispenser to replace separate branded tubes and bottles.

TikTok account @janelleandkate took the hack viral on July 30 when they tried it out themselves and gained over 2.9 million views. "TikTok made us do it. And it worked," they wrote while showing themselves using the concoction to brush their teeth.

TikTokers with no dental background might be claiming that it works, but dental professionals have spoken out against the advice.

The hack may seem pretty harmless, but it's actually the polar opposite explained San Diego-based dentist Dr. Tina Saw of Elevated Smiles, who Newsweek consulted on the trend.

"The reason that we put toothpaste in a non-clear container, usually in a silver tube, is because it's not UV stable," explained Dr. Saw. "So when you expose the toothpaste to the light, it just makes it less efficacious over time."

Dr. Saw also told Newsweek that she spoke to people at Crest, who were unaware of the online trend, but confirmed that the toothpaste tubes are intended to protect the non-UV stable product inside.

So simply replacing the clear dispenser for a darkened one will solve it all, right? Wrong. The mixture itself is also potentially damaging to your teeth, according to Dr. Saw.

"Mouthwash tends to be very acidic. Your teeth will dissolve at a pH of about 5.5 or below. Now, if you are mixing mouthwash, which is acidic and generally the larger brands have a pH of 5.5 or below, you're not only mixing acidic mouthwash and toothpaste that's going to degrade over time, you're bushing acid into your teeth, and you're also not having those protective factors in the toothpaste because you've put it into a new clear jar," explained Dr. Saw.

"So it's probably the worst combination out there for you. You just made everything extremely ineffective."