When a 2024 survey asked UK adults which part of their body they’d most like to change, the most cited answer was “teeth”. In fact, 43% of the respondents said that they were currently considering a cosmetic dental treatment such as tooth whitening, veneers or aligners.
However, as demand for cosmetic dental treatment increases, so does the number of quick fixes and cheap solutions available on the market.
While cosmetic dental treatments are perfectly safe when carried out by a qualified professional, 2024 statistics found that thousands were putting themselves at risk by opting for procedures from untrained and dangerous providers.
In response to this, the Oral Health Foundation has launched a new charity campaign called ‘Safe Smiles’, raising awareness for the dangers of unregulated dental treatment and providing unbiased, expert advice.
For this blog post, we’re taking inspiration from Safe Smiles to highlight the dangers of unregulated dental treatment – particularly teeth whitening – and providing some essential tips to ensure you keep your smile safe when opting for cosmetic treatments.
The surprising dangers of tooth whitening
In recent years, pharmacy shelves have become increasingly populated with toothpastes that promise brighter smiles, social media is full of at-home ‘hacks’, and online advertising sells us DIY products with too-good-to-be-true results. Therefore, it might surprise you to hear that the only legal and effective way to whiten teeth is via a qualified dental professional.
Tooth whitening is a medical procedure, and all medical procedures come with some degree of risk. For this reason, strict UK laws are in place to protect patients from the long-lasting or permanent damage caused when tooth whitening goes wrong – including chemical burns, painful sensitivity, blisters, ulcers, and tooth fracturing. Other countries have different laws, regulations and standards of care, which is why it’s strongly advised to not travel overseas for dental procedures.
Expert tips to whiten teeth safely:
- Products like whitening strips, toothpastes and DIY trays available to buy at your local pharmacy may be safe to use at home, however they do not contain sufficient whitening agent to effectively lighten the appearance of teeth.
- Do not purchase home teeth whitening kits advertised online, as many of these products come from overseas making it hard to guarantee the safety of the ingredients.
- Do not go to any company or country other than a qualified dentist in the UK to receive whitening treatment.
- Only follow oral health advice that comes from a dental professional, avoiding advice from social media influencers who are not qualified dental professionals. Don’t forget – you can always ask your dentist for their opinion about tooth whitening products. At 543, we have an oral health advice page where you can ask our team a question for free.
- Don’t underestimate the power of routine oral care! Taking proper care of your teeth with daily brushing and flossing, a healthy lifestyle, and attending regular hygiene appointments at the dentist will help your teeth stay clean and white.
- Only dental professionals are fully qualified and licensed to perform whitening treatments, and you can rest assured that the treatment will be safe and tailored to your unique dental needs. The whitening products used by dental professionals contain 6% hydrogen peroxide, making it 6,000 times stronger than any product available over-the-counter. This ensures impressive results and the peace of mind that your teeth are in safe hands.
Quick solutions lead to expensive problems
Beyond tooth whitening, Safe Smiles also offers some sound advice for those considering adult orthodontics like clear aligners, or those considering dental tourism for treatments like veneers. Any cosmetic treatment that does not involve seeing a dentist or orthodontist in person in the UK is not advisable for a number of reasons. The Oral Health Foundation advises that quick solutions often lead to expensive problems, and if a treatment is available for a low price, it’s best to get a second opinion and ask for advice from a trained dental professional.
543, your trusted cosmetic dentists in Hull
At 543, our professional teeth whitening treatments are quick, effective and can take place either at the practice or at home. Our in-practice option is Zoom whitening, a treatment that reveals a brighter and whiter smile in just 90 minutes. If you’d prefer to whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home, we offer bespoke whitening trays for safe and effective at-home use. This option requires a consultation at the practice and treatment takes around 2 weeks.
In addition to tooth whitening, we offer a wide range of cosmetic dental treatments including veneers, composite bonding and Invisalign. Our team is highly qualified, highly experienced and passionate about helping patients smile with confidence!
To book a treatment or a consultation, get in touch with our friendly reception team on 01482565488.
