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Jayde Balderston,
Henry Schein Content Strategist
Jayde Balderston,
Henry Schein Content Strategist

With more people actively seeking cosmetic dentistry, illegal tooth whitening treatments are on the rise in the UK. Discover how dental professionals can reclaim the whitening market by educating patients on the dangers of illegal tooth whitening, and encouraging safe, legal alternatives.

How Does Illegal Tooth Whitening Affect Patients?

While over-the-counter tooth whitening options are available for general sale at a more affordable price, at less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, these are far less effective than stronger concentrations.

But with many people seeking whiter results on a limited budget, illegal tooth whitening can seem like a viable option, although it can come at a cost which is more than financial.

  • Tooth Sensitivity And Pain: Unregulated or improperly applied whitening products can strip tooth enamel, resulting in sensitivity and pain, and increasing the risk of staining and weakening teeth. As enamel does not regenerate, this can cause long-term complications for the patient.
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  • Damage To Lips And Gums: If lips and gums come into contact with high concentrations of bleaching agent, they can become red, sore, and swollen, and in extreme cases, can develop chemical burns and blisters.
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  • Nerve Damage And Tooth Loss: Patients undergoing illegal tooth whitening treatments are at risk of inflamed or dead tooth nerves, which can ultimately require root canal treatment or tooth extraction to alleviate pain.
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Deliver Better Whitening
Discover our teeth whitening specialist’s top tips for how you can make the most out of cosmetic dentistry in your dental practice.
Know The Benefits Of Professional Tooth Whitening


    
    
  • Safer Treatment: Whitening carried out by a registered dental professional can result in fewer complications for the patient and reduce the risk of long-term oral health problems, such as tooth loss. Dental professionals can address any existing oral health issues before whitening, and provide continued guidance and monitoring throughout the treatment process.
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  • Individually Tailored: Dental professionals can supply truly bespoke whitening treatments for patients, with individually moulded trays, custom concentrations, and flexible application routines that suit each patient’s unique needs.
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  • Better Results: With legal access to whitening products with a higher bleaching agent concentration, dental professionals can deliver long-lasting, predictable results that meet patient demands without risking their safety.
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  • Legal Compliance: By using legally regulated whitening products administered by a registered dental professional, patients are protected by an insured, medically responsible service.
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Patient Education
Oral health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As dentists, you understand the intricate connections between the body and the mouth, but do your patients?
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FAQs
In the UK, only GDC-registered dental professionals can legally administer whitening treatments with a bleaching agent concentration of over 0.1%. Whitening products containing over a 6% bleaching agent concentration are illegal.
Illegal tooth whitening is unregulated and therefore poses a number of patient risks, including tooth sensitivity and pain, and damage to enamel, nerves, lips, and gums, which in extreme case can ultimately lead to tooth extraction.
Ensure patients are educated on the risks of illegal tooth whitening and the benefits of professional whitening treatments, such as improved safety, tailored treatment plans, and consistent, longer-lasting results, by encouraging staff to proactively discuss whitening options, including payment options.