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The Truth About Shop-Bought Teeth Whitening Treatments
With teeth whitening growing in popularity, many people are tempted by shop-bought kits or treatments offered outside dental practices. This article explores how teeth whitening works and highlights the key differences between professional dental whitening and over-the-counter or salon-based alternatives. The piece explains that whitening treatments rely on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten tooth colour. In the UK, strict laws limit shop-bought products to extremely low peroxide levels, meaning they are unlikely to deliver noticeable or lasting results. Professional treatments, such as Enlighten, are legally permitted to use stronger formulations under dentist supervision, allowing for safe and effective whitening to a Vita B1 shade. The article also addresses safety concerns, warning that ill-fitting trays and strips can cause irritation, blistering, and gum damage. Without a dental examination beforehand, underlying issues like cavities or weak enamel can worsen. It further clarifies that teeth whitening carried out in beauty salons is illegal and uninsured. Finally, the article touches on whitening toothpastes, explaining that while they may remove minor surface stains, they do not truly whiten teeth and can damage enamel if overused. Overall, the message is clear: for safe, legal, and effective results, professional dentist-supervised whitening is the best choice.
The Truth About Shop-Bought Teeth Whitening Treatments
Teeth whitening has never been so popular. With a simple cosmetic treatment, it’s possible to brighten your smile, remove unwanted stains, and reverse discolouration. You could have a healthy, glowing, natural-looking smile in no time.
As with any growth in popularity, there’s been an influx of treatments and techniques. While different dental practices may offer at-home or in-clinic treatments, these are all provided under the professional supervision of a qualified dentist. While their effectiveness and benefits may differ, they can all be considered safe.
So, what about shop-bought teeth whitening treatments or those provided at beauty salons? Are they safe and effective?
Here’s what you need to know about the teeth whitening industry in the UK.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening uses special gels to remove stains and lighten your teeth. Treatments typically contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, active ingredients that can penetrate the top layers of your teeth.
We use Enlighten, a treatment that brightens your smile to a B1 Vita, the most natural shade of white possible. You can whiten your teeth at home using Enlighten. We’ll take impressions of your teeth and have custom whitening trays made up. These will hold the whitening gel tight to your teeth.
Are Shop-Bought Teeth Whitening Treatments Legal?
There are specific laws that control teeth whitening treatments. It is legal for UK stores to sell whitening products, both on the high street and online; however, there are restrictions in place.
The maximum hydrogen peroxide allowed in shop-bought whitening treatments is 0.1%. If a product contains higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, then the company selling it is breaking the law.
Dentists that are trained, registered, and insured can provide treatments containing up to 6% hydrogen peroxide.
Are Shop-Bought Whitening Treatments Effective?
Due to the low volume of hydrogen peroxide found in shop-bought treatments, it’s unlikely that you’ll get great results. In addition to not brightening your teeth, this treatment may only remove light stains.
Some treatments contain strips, while others may use whitening trays. If a kit has a whitening tray, it won’t be designed or made to fit your teeth. This means they are often loose, reducing their effectiveness further.
Are Shop-Bought Whitening Treatments Safe?
The simple answer to this question is no. Shop-bought whitening treatments are not recommended. Although they contain a low dose of hydrogen peroxide, they can still cause harm.
Ill-fitting whitening trays can cause the gel to leak out and enter other parts of the mouth. When this happens, it can cause blistering, irritation, and other severe health issues. Strips can cause similar problems if they’re not used correctly.
Not only this but because there’s no dental examination before your treatment, If you have weak enamel or cavities, you’ll experience adverse results.
Are Teeth Whitening Treatments in Beauty Salons Safe?
Not only is teeth whitening in beauty salons unsafe, but it’s also illegal. Teeth whitening can only be administered by a registered dental practitioner. There are no whitening courses a beautician can enrol on that could qualify them to deliver teeth whitening.
Because this type of treatment isn’t legal, a salon isn’t insured if anything goes wrong.
Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?
Finally, a quick word on whitening toothpaste. There are lots of toothpaste on the market that suggest they can whiten your teeth. These typically contain an abrasive additive like charcoal or bicarbonate of soda. These can remove light stains; however, they should never be used long-term. Overall, they won’t whiten your teeth.
Because the treatments are abrasive, they can wear down your enamel if used too much.
Teeth Whitening in Sheffield
At Harley Private Dental, we offer Enlighten teeth whitening, a treatment that’s safe, legal, and effective. Best of all, with our guidance, you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home.
Call today to schedule your teeth whitening consultation in Sheffield.
