Dangerous chemicals found in teeth whitening kits bought online

The UK Trading Standards has recently found that up to 90% of home teeth whitening kits sent by mail may be unsafe.

is illegal in the UK for at-home teeth whitening kits that contain more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, the chemical most commonly used to whiten teeth. Whitening products that release between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide can only be provided by a dentist.

If you want to use an at-home teeth whitening kit, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist first. In this way, he can advise you on the appropriate strength of the bleaching agent. They can also check that you don’t have untreated tooth decay, advanced gum disease or thinning enamel – things that could make teeth whitening a bad choice for you. They can also monitor the bleaching process to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Teeth whitening can be performed in your dental office, achieving similar whitening results, but in less time. Your dental team can apply a higher strength of bleach chairside and can manage any unpleasant side effects of teeth whitening, such as increased sensitivity.

Some home teeth whitening kits purchased online have been found to contain as much 300 times the safe, legal limit, which reaches dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide around 30%.

Such a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide could damage the surface enamel of the teeth. It can also irritate the gums and soft tissues in the mouth. The higher the dose, the more damage it can cause.

Very white

Teeth that are over-bleached are likely to become more translucent and appear grayish. Over-bleached teeth are also prone to enamel erosion, which is severe and irreversible. The oxidizing effect of hydrogen peroxide can also be harmful to the soft tissues in the mouth if the whitening is excessive.

Some online products have been found to contain others hazardous chemicalsincluding toxic or prohibited substances that can seriously burn gum tissues or irreparably damage teeth.

A common ingredient, sodium hexametaphosphate, found in bleach, can potentially cause skin irritation and a slower than normal heart rate, called bradycardia.

Another ingredient, carbopol, which stabilizes and thickens the whitening formula, can lead to eye swelling and increased tear production if used liberally in sensitive individuals, such as those with allergies.

Buying teeth whitening products online can be convenient and inexpensive. However, with many chemical ingredients listed on the label, it is not always easy to tell whether the hydrogen peroxide dose will be at a harmful level. The reason is that other chemicals, such as carbamide peroxide and zinc peroxide, can enhance the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

In addition to using a very low dose of hydrogen peroxide (0.1%), as in whitening toothpastes, it is highly recommended that people consult their dentist before purchasing a teeth whitening kit online.