Cheap dental products sold on online platforms cause severe oral health risks
Low-cost dental products sold on platforms like Shein and promoted on social media can lead to health problems and unexpected expenses. A parodontiste warns consumers to be wary of promises of miracle results.
Social media promotions market unverified gum-regrowth gels
Ads promoting products designed to regrow gums have gained visibility on social media. Dr. Georges Jammal, past president of the Association des parodontistes du Québec, expressed astonishment at the trend. He deplores that their promotion relies on polished imagery and medical terms to win over consumers.
Souvent ça prend une approche chirurgicale, une approche par lambeaux pour aller utiliser ce type de produit là. Donc le fait que ça vise vraiment le grand public, c’est quand même assez inquiétant,
Dr. Jammal said in an interview with Benoit Dutrizac on QUB radio.
Dr. Jammal noted that while the visual demonstrations are appealing, the results shown in online ads bear little resemblance to reality. Surgical interventions are necessary to obtain these types of results.
Un gel comme ça, faire repousser de la gencive comme ça, c’est quasiment impossible,
he stated.
Real biological gels require precise surgical application
Biological gels do exist in periodontics, including enamel matrix derivative (EMD) products marketed under brands like Emdogain. Dental surgeons use these substances during dental surgery to encourage the natural regeneration of root cementum, the periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.
However, these professional treatments serve precise clinical indications and carry high costs. Dr. Jammal explained that specialists do not use the biological gel in every surgery due to the heavy financial expense involved.
Consumers who purchase inexpensive alternatives online in an attempt to save money expose themselves to risks because the exact composition of these products is unknown. Dr. Jammal stated that he doubts those inexpensive gels actually contain genuine EMD.
Patients face pain and unexpected dental bills
The risks materialized recently during a patient consultation at Dr. Jammal’s clinic. A patient arrived experiencing pain in her mouth after using a teeth-whitening product purchased through Shein.
The product cost the patient approximately six or seven dollars. The resulting complications generated unexpected expenses, including a consultation with her dentist, pharmacy visits, specialized care, and physical discomfort.
Ce produit-là qui lui a coûté à cette patiente peut-être 6, 7 dollars […] bien ça lui a coûté une consultation chez son dentiste, de la douleur, de la souffrance, une visite chez le pharmacien, une visite chez le spécialiste ici, pour finalement bon se rendre compte qu’on ne commandera plus jamais de produits dentaires sur Shein,
Dr. Jammal said.
Dr. Jammal urges consumers to exercise caution regarding discounted items offering miraculous transformations and recommend discussing oral care products with a hygienist or periodontist before use.
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