Home tooth whitening could damage your oral health says BDA
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- Published: Thursday, 16 November 2017 07:42
- Written by News Editor
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The Sunday Telegraph has reported that grpwing numbers of young people are putting their health at risk by turning to teeth whitening products to achieve the perfect “celebrity” smile. However the BDA has warned them that buying these products online or from unlicensed operators can lead to the use of illegally strong whitening agents.
Figures show increasing numbers of teenagers and people in their early 20s are prepared to experiment with home whitening products, such as black toothpaste and oil mouthwashes. It comes amid a growing trend for television celebrities to post pictures of themselves on social media advertising teeth whitening products – encouraging their use among young people.
But the BDA has warned that some whitening products pose a risk of permanently damaging the gums if used at home without proper medical supervision. A report by Mintel found that young men appear to be particularly keen on using whitening products to achieve the “perfect” smile. The study found that a third of men aged 16-24 have tried tooth whitening powder, compared to 23 per cent of women in the same age group. At the same time 28 per cent of young men have tried colour-correcting toothpaste, compared to 16 per cent of young women.
Young women appear to be increasingly willing to experiment with using teeth whitening at home. The study revealed that nearly half of women aged 16-24 would be interested in trying teeth whitening powder, compared to 37 per cent of women aged 45-64.
Mick Armstrong, chairman of the BDA, said: “Many people want to achieve the perfect smile, and when performed by a qualified dentist tooth whitening is safe and effective. However if you put yourself in the hands of untrained individuals armed with unsafe chemicals then you are gambling with your health.”
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