Can a purple shampoo really whiten your teeth?

'Toothtok' - where dentistry tips are shared on TikTok - is booming. But not everything suggested is a good idea...

- INTERVIEW BY HANNAH BRITT

Want whiter teeth? You're not alone. Online searches for teeth whitening are at an all-time high, and now dentistry tricks are being shared online. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting, unsurprisingly many are searching for cheap fixes. Answers are coming from social media, from rubbing strawberries on teeth to even applying purple shampoo. But do any of them actually work?

TIME FOR SOME MYTH BUSTING

"There are thousands of products available off the shelf, online and advertised on social media. They all promise a quick, easy and lasting white smile, but the reality is most don't work and, in some cases, they can be detrimental to the health and colour of your teeth," says Dr Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care.

Here she unpicks some of Toothtok's most controversial tips.

Charcoal toothpaste: MYTH

Charcoal is highly abrasive, so while it will remove surface stains left by darker foods and drinks, it will also wear down your enamel, the outer white layer that protects your teeth, if used repeatedly.

Strawberries: MYTH