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Teeth whitening, ranging from over-the-counter kits costing a few pounds to expensive veneers costing thousands, is the most popular treatment. However, there is growing concern among experts that in the search for the perfect smile many people are putting their teeth and gums at risk by opting for super-strong whitening solutions and using them too often.
Some are so powerful they are not legal but can easily be bought on the internet. Another fear is people are seeking bargain treatments from beauticians who are not qualified to whiten teeth.
Conventional whitening involves using hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent, to penetrate the surface of the tooth and make it lighter. This can be done by using a gum shield-type treatment over a few days or at the dentist where a special light is used to activate the whitening gel. This is known as power whitening or laser whitening, although there are lots of different brand names.
Over-the-counter kits can be bought at pharmacies but by law must be very weak. Only dentists are permitted to supply stronger solutions for home use or to apply them in a surgery.
Karen Coates, a dental adviser for the British Dental Health Foundation, is worried about the easy availability of stronger treatments. She says: “This type of treatment is highly popular.
“On the internet I’ve come across kits which are up to 33 per cent hydrogen peroxide which is much too strong.”
Dentists can make the gum shields to measure, ensuring tissue around the teeth is protected but that is not the case for internet kits. The bleach can seep, mildly burning gums and lips and leaving them sensitive.
Very strong solutions could damage tooth enamel. Karen adds: “You see so many celebrities with lovely looking teeth there is a temptation to overdo it.”
Whitening only lightens teeth slightly. To get the very white looks seen on the likes of Simon Cowell, expensive porcelain veneers are the only solution. They fit over teeth but some of the enamel has to be removed to make sure they stay in place. If the treatment is repeated too often, teeth can be damaged.
Another option is whitening strips which are placed temporarily on the teeth to lighten the shade. Bear in mind that all treatments will fade over time, especially if you drink red wine or coffee.
Karen says: “All these treatments are perfectly safe if done by or under the supervision of a dentist. You should be realistic about what you hope to achieve and opt for a natural look. Teeth are not supposed to be very white. If you’re using a kit at home, stop the treatment if there’s any pain or sensitivity.”
Dr Zaki Kanaan, a dentist at the K2 Dental practice in west London and a director of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, says some patients are demanding unnaturally white teeth.
“They have seen them on television but the whiter you go the more fake they look,” he says. “Even in America, the trend now is towards a more natural look.” Dentists should discuss the different shades available before starting treatment, he adds.
The temptation to use high-strength solutions should be avoided, he says. “You can get good results using a solution that is just six per cent. I had one patient who came to me after buying a kit on the internet which was about 25 per cent and he had burnt his gums. You often don’t know what you are putting in your mouth.”
Only dentists and hygienists are authorised to perform teeth whitening but hundreds of beauty salons now offer the treatments at much lower prices. That is fine if they employ a dentist but illegal if not.
It’s claimed some salons are using chlorine dioxide, a chemical normally used for industrial purposes. This can actually darken the teeth and wreck tooth enamel.
Before having whitening treatment, it’s recommended that you have your teeth cleaned by a hygienist to remove surface plaque which will prevent the solutions from working. Dr Kanaan adds: “I’m even seeing stands in shopping centres now where they are offering teeth whitening for £99. Unfortunately people just see the savings and don’t realise the potential risks.”
The General Dental Council has had hundreds of complaints about illegal teeth whitening but so far there have been only a handful of prosecutions. The GDC says anyone considering teeth whitening should consult their dentist.
“We are exploring ways of tackling the issue of beauty salons offering teeth whitening,” adds a spokeswoman. In the meantime, the GDC is writing to salons which it suspects are breaking the law.