Reports of illegal teeth-whitening have increased by 26% in the last year, new figures show. The unregulated procedures can leave patients at risk of tooth loss, burns and blisters with more severe cases even becoming life-threatening if left in the wrong hands.
It comes at a time when cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever, with the industry valued at £2.2bn in the UK alone according to a 2019 study by the Oral Health Foundation. In fact, the same company found that 45% of single UK adults have had illegal tooth-whitening. That is, tooth-whitening performed by someone not registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
