Dentist On TikTok Compares How Much Toothpaste We’re Told To Use By The Commercials, And The Actual Amount We Need
TikTok has been quite popular among young people for quite some time now; however, it is also becoming increasingly appealing for various professionals as well. In short video bits, they can convey interesting, yet easily digestible information and tips. Like this psychologist, for example, who recently went viral for explaining the so-called Thatcher Effect.
Recently, yet another healthcare professional has gone viral on TikTok. This time, it’s a dentist sharing his knowledge and tips and tricks when it comes to oral hygiene. His most viral video yet has gathered a whopping 6M views, so we’re quick to share it with you! Scroll down below to see what Dr. Gao had to say!
This Malaysian dentist is going viral on TikTok
Image credits: Dr. Gao
Dr. Gao Jye Teh is a Malaysian dentist who got into TikTok during the Covid-19 lockdown earlier this year. Talking to Buzzfeed, he told that while scrolling through TikTok, he realized that the information that’s chopped up into small bits is easily retained and understood. That’s how he came up with the idea of spreading dental awareness himself.
His most popular video yet explains how much toothpaste we should use
@doctorgaoAre you using the right amount of toothpaste? ##dentist ##dental ##dentistry ##tiktokguru ##youngcreators ##learnontiktok ##edutok ##teeth ##foryou♬ Mad at Disney – salem ilese
Over 6M people have watched it
Image credits: Dr. Gao
His most viral video yet explains how much toothpaste we should actually use. Firstly, he shows how much toothpaste is put on the toothbrush in the commercials. Spoiler alert: it’s way more than we actually need.
In it, Dr. Gao compares how much toothpaste people use in the ads
Image credits: Dr. Gao
Dr. Gao then goes on to show the actual amount of toothpaste that must go onto a toothbrush. And apparently, for kids under 3, it’s such a small smear, it’s hardly visible in the video! As for anyone older, the viral TikTok dentist recommends the amount of the size of a single pea.
And the actual amount that children under 3 should use
Image credits: Dr. Gao
Dr. Gao points out that the damage that comes with using too much toothpaste is the biggest for children whose adult teeth are still developing under their gums. The dentist explains that fluoride, when ingested in large amounts, can cause dental fluorosis on the teeth that are still developing. The cosmetic damage can range from mild discoloration to stains and pits in the teeth.
And the amount that anyone older should use
Image credits: Dr. Gao
When it comes to kinds of toothpaste itself, Dr. Gao writes on his Instagram: “Even if the toothpaste contains fluoride, the concentration of fluoride matters. Some [kinds of] toothpaste do have slightly different ratios of ingredients depending on their use. [For example], whitening toothpaste is more abrasive, toothpaste for sensitivity contains potassium nitrate.”
His other videos include more tips for good dental hygiene
Image credits: Dr. Gao
“Given the wide range of toothpastes available in the market, consumers should face little trouble finding one that works for their specific teeth conditions and goals,” the dentist further told BuzzFeed.
@doctorgaoHere’s why you shouldn’t use too much toothpaste… 🧐 ##dentist ##dental ##dentistry ##tiktokguru ##youngcreators ##learnontiktok ##teeth ##edutok ##education♬ original sound – Dr. Gao 🦷
@doctorgaoHabits that break your teeth!##dentist ##dental ##dentistry ##tiktokguru ##youngcreators ##learnontiktok ##edutok ##teeth ##foryou♬ A Moment Apart – ODESZA – Hannah Stater
@doctorgaoOver-brushing causes yellow teeth. 😰 ##dentist ##dental ##dentistry ##tiktokguru ##youngcreators ##learnontiktok ##edutok ##teeth ##foryou♬ try to be cool but eh – yunnizhai
31Kviews
Share on Facebook
Also, I'm sure that the toothpaste tube hole is overtly larger than it needs to be, meaning more toothpaste is squeezed out than required. Therefore, you run out of toothpaste quicker than if the hole was smaller. See https://openwebsolutions.in/blog/myth-fact-story-renowned-toothpaste-company/
As an example, I've attached a photo of two tubes of toothpaste. The one on the right is a normal, branded toothpaste. The one on the left is a toothpaste, that you can only get prescribed and from a chemist (It has 3x more fluoride than a normal toothpaste) IMG_4178-5...453bf6.jpg 
The correct term is a Nurdle, which sounds like it would be a small dab of toothpaste rather than a long slug.
The packaging for toothpaste actually used to say "use a pea sized amount." That was the 1970s. Then came all the flavors, colors, gels and so on.
Commercials. They'll show the toothpaste being squeezed onto the toothbrush in copious amounts.
Load More Replies...
Yeah, lol, I use the pea sized regularly, but my brother uses, like, SO MUCH TOOTHPASTE! My mom wonders why we run out of toothpaste all the time.
In Sweden (where we have the best dentists in the world and actually came up with the idea of fluoride for dental health) the recommended amount of toothpaste for adults is about 2 cm, i.e. enough to cover the entire toothbrush. This is because we need a generous amount of fluoridated toothpaste to get the benefits of the toothpaste which is both antibacterial and prevents cavities. Using too little is not going to directly damage your teeth, but you won’t get the protection against dental and oral diseases that you would normally get if you regularly use a good amount twice a day. (Children are obviously recommended to use less because they swallow the toothpaste and risk developing fluorosis, but for adults that is not a problem. Fluorosis can only happen while the teeth are in development, and just remember to spit the toothpaste out and you’ll be just fine.)
i would like to add, i learned a while back that if your house or place of residence is on municipal water, check to see if it's treated with flouride before you haul off and get toothpaste with flouride in it. too much can be detrimental!
I've been chewing on ice since I was a kid. I've never broken a tooth. I do have anemia problems from time to time which does make me crave ice.
In the interests of good dental hygiene, can I put my head between her legs...?
Also, I'm sure that the toothpaste tube hole is overtly larger than it needs to be, meaning more toothpaste is squeezed out than required. Therefore, you run out of toothpaste quicker than if the hole was smaller. See https://openwebsolutions.in/blog/myth-fact-story-renowned-toothpaste-company/
As an example, I've attached a photo of two tubes of toothpaste. The one on the right is a normal, branded toothpaste. The one on the left is a toothpaste, that you can only get prescribed and from a chemist (It has 3x more fluoride than a normal toothpaste) IMG_4178-5...453bf6.jpg
The correct term is a Nurdle, which sounds like it would be a small dab of toothpaste rather than a long slug.
The packaging for toothpaste actually used to say "use a pea sized amount." That was the 1970s. Then came all the flavors, colors, gels and so on.
Commercials. They'll show the toothpaste being squeezed onto the toothbrush in copious amounts.
Load More Replies... Yeah, lol, I use the pea sized regularly, but my brother uses, like, SO MUCH TOOTHPASTE! My mom wonders why we run out of toothpaste all the time.
In Sweden (where we have the best dentists in the world and actually came up with the idea of fluoride for dental health) the recommended amount of toothpaste for adults is about 2 cm, i.e. enough to cover the entire toothbrush. This is because we need a generous amount of fluoridated toothpaste to get the benefits of the toothpaste which is both antibacterial and prevents cavities. Using too little is not going to directly damage your teeth, but you won’t get the protection against dental and oral diseases that you would normally get if you regularly use a good amount twice a day. (Children are obviously recommended to use less because they swallow the toothpaste and risk developing fluorosis, but for adults that is not a problem. Fluorosis can only happen while the teeth are in development, and just remember to spit the toothpaste out and you’ll be just fine.)
i would like to add, i learned a while back that if your house or place of residence is on municipal water, check to see if it's treated with flouride before you haul off and get toothpaste with flouride in it. too much can be detrimental!
I've been chewing on ice since I was a kid. I've never broken a tooth. I do have anemia problems from time to time which does make me crave ice.
In the interests of good dental hygiene, can I put my head between her legs...?
165
23