“Unsafe tooth whitening is putting the public at serious risk”

Research by the charity found that one in four people (28 per cent) would not go to the dentist for their tooth whitening treatment and rather purchase potentially unsafe home kits over the internet or visit illegal beauticians and kiosks instead.

As the tooth whitening industry is fast becoming one of the major growth industries in cosmetic and dental procedures, the charity wants to alert the public to the potentially life changing health risks unscrupulous traders are exposing them to.

Unsafe, illegal tooth whitening can lead to severe chemical burns and possibility permanent scarring, tooth loss and in extreme cases affect the ability to eat and breath.

Karen Coates, dental advisor at the Oral Health Foundation and coordinator of the Tooth Whitening Information Group (TWIG) spoke about the dangers unaware consumers are facing.

Karen said: “Twenty million people in the UK are leaving themselves open to illegal and unsafe tooth whitening severely harming their health. They may not be aware of the dangers associated with the procedures and that is only perpetuating the belief that they are fine to go ahead with.