A Thai dental clinic has issued a warning after a patient was unable to remove hardened silicone purchased online and used at home to address teeth grinding.
Cotton Dental Clinic shared the case on social media as a cautionary example, saying the patient arrived at the clinic unable to speak, eat or use their mouth normally because a hard, white material had become stuck around their teeth.
According to the clinic, the patient had a history of teeth grinding and had previously been advised by a dentist to use a silicone bite guard. However, instead of returning for professional treatment, the patient bought materials online and attempted to make one at home.
The material hardened around the teeth and could not be removed. The patient reportedly spent the night trying to loosen it with warm water and by manually pulling at it, from 22:00 until 06:00, before eventually visiting the clinic around noon.
The clinic’s dentist found the material difficult to remove because it was both hard and sticky. After trying several instruments, the dentist managed to remove it completely, a process that took about two hours.
Following removal, the tissue beneath the material appeared red, indicating irritation and pressure.
The clinic warned people against buying dental materials online and attempting to use them without professional guidance, as unsuitable products may contain chemicals that harm oral tissues or cause other complications.
It advised anyone experiencing oral health problems or needing dental treatment to consult a dentist.
The clinic stressed that the post was not intended to blame the patient for acting without full knowledge of the risks. Instead, it aimed to raise awareness of potentially unsafe, substandard health-related products sold online.
It also thanked the patient for consenting to the publication of the case and treatment details to help prevent similar incidents.