Dentists issued a stark warning about a new “toothpaste hack” that has taken TikTok by storm.
The viral trend involves squeezing toothpaste out of its original tube and into a clear soap dispenser. The hack was demonstrated by TikTok mum Kirsten McCready, who boasts over 40,000 followers on the platform.
In her video, she explains: “I got this hand soap dispenser and added my kids’ favourite toothpaste into it. Now when my kids want to brush their teeth they just have to push down on the dispenser and it comes out easy.”
The trick is marketed as a way to minimise mess and avoid inaccessible toothpaste at the bottom of the tube.
However, dentists warn that toothpaste should stay in its original packaging as exposure to light can damage it.
Dr Suhail Mohiuddin took to TikTok to explain: “The ingredients of toothpaste aren’t UV-stable so exposing them to light can make them ineffective. Please, don’t do this.”
Toothpaste’s active ingredients can degrade when exposed to light, air and moisture, reducing its effectiveness in preventing cavities and maintaining healthy gums.
This is why toothpaste never comes in a see-through package and always has a tight lid, according to GAP Dental.
They warn: “It’s only supposed to see light just before you start brushing. Squirting it into a pump dispenser will expose it to light early and make it far less effective when you come to brush your teeth.
“If that wasn’t bad enough, opening your toothpaste early also causes the preservative ingredients to break down faster. Once they fall below a certain level there’s a real risk of bacterial and fungal growth inside the container.”
