Illegal teeth whitening on the rise

Official figures show the number of illegal teeth whitening procedures in the UK have risen by 26% in the last year.

Despite the treatment being offered in beauty salons and kiosks across the UK, teeth whitening can only legally be carried out by a trained dental professional, such as a dentist or hygienist.

Dentist Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation, says the potential consequences of having dental treatment by those unqualified to do so are “severe” and could have “lasting consequences” on a person’s health.

Dr Atkins says: “While cosmetic treatments like tooth whitening and orthodontics may seem like relatively easy procedures, they are quite the opposite. These are medical procedures and should only ever be carried out by a dental professional.