Home · white teeth news · Illegal tooth whitening exposed


Illegal tooth whitening exposed

A Which? investigation has uncovered beauty salons allowing unqualified staff to carry out teeth-whitening treatments that can inflict permanent damage.

Clinics across the country are undercutting dentists’ prices and cashing in on the trend for Hollywood-white teeth.

But many employ beauty therapists who, after a few days’ training, apply harmful chemicals that can damage clients’ gums and could land them with hefty fines. This is because, the UK dental regulator says, teeth whitening by non-dentists is illegal.

Beauty salons

In our snaphot survey, our reporter posed as a potential client at six London beauty salons.

All six said that their procedure wasn’t performed by a dentist and half were using dangerous chemicals. We also uncovered misleading advice and the use of whitening ‘lasers’ that have no proven effect.

The General Dental Council (GDC) is now investigating these clinics and has asked us not to name them while enquiries continue.Its President Hew Mathewson and James Goolnik of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) looked at our research.

Chemicals

Most tooth-whitening treatments use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, both proven to bleach teeth. But three salons offered a chlorine dioxide treatment. James said: ‘This chemical is a bleaching agent more commonly used to purify water and is very acidic. It can wreck tooth enamel.’

The other clinics use hydrogen peroxide in strengths from 0.6 to 10 per cent, which are above the legal limit.

Gum disease

Nobody with gum disease should consider teeth-whitening treatment due to the risk of further irritation and ulcerated and receding gums. Two clinics asked to look at our reporter’s gums, but it’s impossible even for a dentistto detectproblems from a quick glance.

Two of the clinics said that impressions of teeth would be taken, which is considered a procedure that should be carried out only by a dentist and therefore illegal if carried out by an untrained person.

Side effects

Most clinics said side effects could include white spots on gums or lips where the bleaching agent leaks from a shield. The clinics suggested that these were a perfectly normal side effect but James said: ‘These are chemical burns and there shouldn’t be any. Peroxide should be nowhere near the lip.’

Half of the clinics we visited advertised ‘laser whitening’ and one even asked whether our reporter was allergic to lasers. Hew said: ‘These lasers are usually just blue lights and there’s little scientific evidence for their added benefit.’

Potential legal action

The GDC believes teeth whitening should be carried out only by a dentist under the Dentists Act and is keen to have its definition tested by successfully prosecuting someone who pleads not guilty to the offence. It is currently investigating 70 clinics.

Ben Nahab pleaded guilty at Norwich magistrates last year to carrying out a whitening procedure, after he burnt the gums of a dental nurse while demonstrating a product, causing serious side effects. He had claimed to be a dentist registered to work in the UK.

We don’t think you should have your teeth whitened by anyone other than a dentist. If treatment goes wrong, contact the GDC at information@gdc-uk.org or on 020 7887 3800.

12.11.2007. 14:42

Comments

This article hasn't been commented yet.

Write a comment

* = required field

:

:

:


6 + 8 =

Categories:

New Articles:

New comments:

Does Bicarbonate (Baking) Soda whiten teeth?
If So. Does have any side effects? and can you tell me how 2 use it please? thanks
Whats the best way to whiten teeth?
I currently use colgate total as my toothpaste & listerine as my mouthwash. Like My mouth feels clean and all but I don't really see my teeth getting much whiter.
Best way to whiten teeth?
I've noticed my teeth look abit yellowish at the moment and I was just wondering if anyone knew a toothpaste that works that can clear yellow stains? Any answers appreciated! Thanks :)
does baking soda whiten your teeth?
does baking soda whiten your teeth? if so is it safe and how do you use it
Does anyone know any cheap teeth whitening tricks?
I don't want to get them professionally done but also don't want my teeth damaging. I feel self conscious because of my teeth and I'm just wondering does anyone know maybe some tips to whiten them with things in the home? Or things to buy online that actually work. Ps I'm from the uk so no American products x
is bicarbonate of soda a good teeth whitening product and how do i apply it and use it on my teeth?
hey i am looking for a good teeth whitening product and a friend has recommended bicarbonate of soda. But i want to know how to apply it to my teeth and how i use it so please help, thanks :)
thoughts on baking soda for teeth whitening?
i noticed it on youtube a few days ago, yeah i tried it and EW it tastes disgusting. but does it really work??
Swindon. I've just been to www.smile station.co.uk and had my teeth laser whitened for £49gbp amazing?
I asked on here if anyone had been their and if it was safe and peanut replied saying to be good to be true for £49gbp. Wel I have gone down ten shades whiter with no pain or nothing ? Fantastic result, oh and peanut , they use bleechbright products at smilestation ? Don't know if that makes any difference ? And the product is zero peroxide ? Well now I've had it done , I can say it's safe and great result pain free, fab service at a bargain price, but thanks for you reply anyway peanut. Why will they delete ? Did I do something wrong michel ? Thank you kindly for the reply. Yes my teeth are fine I'm happy ? And they had insurance for medical neglagence to the tune of £5 million gbp and had their certificates on the wall ? Anyhow I'm very happy but thanks for the advise once again.
Any teeth whitening/adding software for photos online?
Hello, I have a missing tooth and when i smile for photos its fairly obvious! I was wondering if anyone knows of an online software where you can add teeth and it looks natural??? I really need this so please help if you can Thanks! DOES GIMP COME WITH ANY VIRUSES??
Whats a good teeth whitening product thats safe for teenagers?
Hi there. Basically I'm 13 and a half and I don't have the best teeth out there, and are quite yellow. I brush enough, but I do have a few fillings where I had an enamel defect. I want to find a teeth whitening kit that works, and doesn't cost TOO much money, oh and thats safe! I dont want my gums going funny, and teeth falling out! So if you know of any kit that's fairly cheap, below £25 and really do work. Although, nor do i want to look like an idiot when i go to school? Thanks!!!