Teeth whitening is a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular as celebrities make white teeth attractive. We like to emulate out favourite stars and believe that having whiter and straighter teeth is a way to knock years off our looks, indeed beauty is seen in white teeth. And whilst dentists can perform tooth whitening, it is important that you only use professional treatments in a dental surgery, and do not let any unlicensed people work on your teeth otherwise you could be in for some pain.

There are booths and stands set up around the country in shopping centres and the like where unprofessional, unqualified and unlicensed individuals claim to give you whiter teeth, but the ADA is concerned about their safety and has petitioned the FDA to intervene with regulations over the chemicals used in tooth whitening treatments.

The internet is flooded with products claiming to get perfect results, better than you would see if a dentists did the treatment, however they are offering them at a fraction of the cost, usually on a free trial basis. Customers have been conned into buying these products only to find that their credit cards have been charged huge amounts in international fees and cancellation charges. When you think you are trying a free trial of ‘brilliant’ teeth whitening gel and then you end up paying $300 in renewed fees, you really are losing out.

However you might receive more than just damage to your finances when you take up these offers. Gum infections and erosion can occur if the chemicals are applied too liberally or in the wrong way. Having green, rotten gums is not what you want when expecting to get brilliantly white teeth.

These stories has led the ADA to ask the FDA to implement classifications on the various chemicals used in tooth whitening products. It hoped that consumers will be more aware of the risks that unlicensed tooth whitening products can pose to your health and will reduce the number of over-the-counter products.

If the FDA decides to implement classifications, then tooth whitening treatment manufacturers will require FDA consulting on the chemicals and ingredients that it deems as safe and those it does not.