Analysis of the information contained within TikTok videos regarding orthodontic retention

How much information regarding gingival enlargement can we get from TikTok and YouTube?

“…YouTube videos describing gingival recession, 1 peri‐implantitis, 22 precancerous lesions, 3 oral malignancies, 9 and oral leukoplakia 4 were investigated in some of these investigations. TikTok videos describing oral health education, 5 dental implants treatment, 2 and orthodontics 6,10 were researched. We discovered that there is only one study on orthodontics in the field of dentistry that examines related YouTube and TikTok videos together 10 .…”

“…4 Because of increased microbial activity in the pocket, gingival enlargements not only make it harder to manage plaque but also result in cosmetic abnormalities, the production of false pockets, and attachment loss. 5,6 Inflammatory growths appear as soft and edematous gingiva. The gingiva is redder as a discoloration and tends to bleed spontaneously.…”

“…In addition to being connected with fibrotic events (pathological process related to poor wound healing), gingival enlargements can be interpreted as hyperplasia (an increase in cell number) or hypertrophy (an increase in cell quantity and size of matrix) 4 . Because of increased microbial activity in the pocket, gingival enlargements not only make it harder to manage plaque but also result in cosmetic abnormalities, the production of false pockets, and attachment loss 5,6 …”

An analysis of oral contraceptive related videos on TikTok

“…Social media has increasingly become a major source of consumer health information as well as a platform where patients can share testimonials and connect over shared experiences. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 The mobile application TikTok has had a rapidly growing influence since its launch in 2017 and was the most downloaded application worldwide in 2022. 13 Initially used as a form of networking and entertainment, its large presence has now expanded into becoming the primary search engine for adolescents and young adults and a significant potential source of health information.…”