Protect Your Smile
Have a listen to the podcast on the dangers of teeth whitening kits here:
Author: Louise Baxter - Co-CEO Consumer Friend
Three minute read
We are back to talk to you about how NOT to ruin your face. Last year we bought cartoon us to you, to try and get some really key messages across about fake and unsafe cosmetics. I’m still delighted by my cartoon eyelashes and suggestion of arm muscle 🤣.
Well people, hold onto your TEETH! We are back to talk to you about fake or unsafe teeth whitening products. Who doesn’t want pearly whites to dazzle the world… Question is how do you do this safely without ruining your face?
Our latest campaign is called #ForFakeSake Protect your smile, how NOT to ruin your face. (In case you missed that in the title).
Using the soon to be viral hashtags #ForFakeSake #ForSafetySake. I came up with these! Some of my finer work I believe. We will create another Non Award-winning podcast which will try to focus on the potential dangers posed by unsafe teeth whitening products. I cannot promise we won’t veer off and talk about squirrels, we will try but, we can’t seem to help it.
With the growing popularity of teeth whitening, especially via advertising and associated videos on social media platforms, consumers face an overwhelming array of whitening products that not only fail to deliver on their claims but also pose serious risks to your teeth and smile. (Ruining your face!). This is why it's crucial to prioritise safety when enhancing your smile.
Teeth whitening products in the UK are regulated by the Cosmetic Products Regulation. In the UK, products containing certain concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or other teeth-whitening agents are subject to these regulations to ensure consumer safety.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products available to consumers in the UK are limited to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Products with higher concentrations are considered prescription-only and should be administered by dental professionals.
The problem is there is a real desire for these products but not a lot of information on how to buy the right ones that won’t ruin your face. So, why is it a problem?
Which? did an investigation in 2021 into home teeth-whitening kits sold online. It revealed that some whiteners tested contained 300 times the legally permissible amount of hydrogen peroxide.
Which? Advised don't buy teeth whiteners from online marketplaces. Their research showed that whatever online marketplace you buy from you're likely to end up with a product with a dangerously high concentration of hydrogen peroxide which could damage your teeth and gums. With only three of the 36 teeth whiteners bought from online marketplaces - or one in 12 - containing a legal amount of hydrogen peroxide, you should steer well clear of cheap online brands.
While the desire for a brighter smile is universal, the hazards posed by fake or unsafe teeth whitening products are often underestimated.
This is where we come in at Consumer Friend.
Providing all the FREE education for everyone on how NOT to ruin your face and how to buy safely. If this blog doesn’t satisfy your thirst for teeth whitening knowledge have a read of our Trained in Two on Cosmetics Safety.
Fake or unsafe teeth whitening products often contain harsh chemicals that can damage your teeth and ruin your face. This can be:
enamel erosion
gum irritation
tooth sensitivity
damage to the dental nerves, requiring professional intervention to fix them.
Ingredients like chlorine dioxide, a common culprit in unsafe whitening products, can cause irreparable damage to the protective layer of the teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay.
Beyond the potential harm they can cause, fake and unsafe teeth whitening products frequently fail to deliver the promised results. You may find yourself disappointed with lacklustre outcomes, having wasted time and money on products that only provide at best a temporary cosmetic illusion.
Unlike dentist-prescribed or professionally administered teeth whitening treatments, fake, unsafe and scam products lack the oversight of dental professionals. The consequences of using fake or unsafe teeth whitening products might extend beyond short-term discomfort. Prolonged use can contribute to permanent damage, compromising the structural integrity of your teeth and leading to more extensive and costly dental treatments in the long run.
We thought it would be a great idea to try and educate the 14-24 year old group on what not to buy when it comes to teeth whitening!
We then realised we aren’t 14 and can’t use TikTok like they can 😊, unless of course its watching Gary the emu and then we (and I mean me, Adam hates social media) can waste literally hours laughing at Gary! Apparently though 14 year olds don’t find the same things quite as amusing. So we tried Gary and he wasn’t available so we thought let’s use 14-year-olds to help us run the social media campaign. Written by 14-year-olds, for 14-year-olds. They can tell 14-24-year-olds about the dangers of buying fake or unsafe tooth whitening products in 14 year old speak. It also happens that one of them is called FLOSS, which is just a brilliant coincidence.
So if you’re reading this and you are 14 (unlikely!), or you know a 14 year old, send them to the Consumer Friend TikTok.
If after reading all this, you still want to whiten your teeth, here’s what should you do!
Understanding the risks associated with unsafe products is the first step in making informed choices and to helping our young people make informed choices.
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If you're looking for teeth that are a few shades whiter, the best thing you can do is to ditch any DIY ideas and discuss this with your dentist. They will be best placed to advise on whether a treatment is suitable for you and then make a recommendation.
The NHS website explains how to find an NHS dentist and what to do if you need urgent or emergency dental care.
We know it’s not realistic to insist you don’t buy online. We would prefer it if you didn’t! But, if you do decide you want a DIY tooth whitening kit, follow these simple tips.
Read the reviews
Check the ingredients and follow the instructions
Consider the place you are buying from and the price
Prioritise your safety, consulting dental professionals, and opting for reputable products is essential to achieve a brighter smile without compromising your face or health. Remember, when it comes to your teeth, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Please send all the kids to TikTok, share this blog, listen to our podcast, use these hashtags #ForFakeSake #ForSafetySake #ProtectYourSmile the more we talk and share the more we learn. 🌟🦷