Warning: Illegal Teeth Whitening Gels Cause Severe Gum Burns

The Dangers of Illegal Teeth Whitening Kits

Illegal teeth whitening kits containing more than 500 times the legal limit of dental bleach are being sold on social media and distributed in car parks, according to a recent investigation. These products pose serious health risks and highlight the growing problem of unregulated beauty treatments.

In the UK, teeth whitening treatments that use more than 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide—a bleaching agent used to remove stains—can only be carried out by a dentist or other professional registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). Additionally, any bleaching gels used for teeth whitening must not contain more than six per cent hydrogen peroxide. However, the BBC found some illegal teeth whitening gels being sold online have in excess of 500 times the legal limit.

This alarming discovery raises concerns about the safety of these products and the potential harm they can cause. The investigation also revealed that it was easy to obtain a fraudulent teeth whitening qualification, which could put people unknowingly at risk.

One of the BBC’s reporters obtained a fake qualification and ‘extreme bleach’ from an online seller and was told to ‘practice on friends and family’. When the kits bought by the BBC were sent for testing, the results showed they contained up to eight times the safe level of hydrogen peroxide that dentists can use.

Experts warn people to be vigilant in checking that their treatments are done by qualified professionals to avoid painful burnt gums and, in extreme cases, tooth loss.

Dr Sam Jethwa, a cosmetic dentist and founder of Bespoke Smiles, explained the importance of professional oversight in teeth whitening treatments. He stated:

“There’s a reason that only dentists are legally permitted to administer whitening treatments containing the maximum allowed level of hydrogen peroxide. Discovering that kits far exceeding these limits are being sold online and in beauty salons is extremely concerning.”

He emphasized that dentists perform a full oral health check before providing treatment and take precise moulds to make custom whitening trays. This is crucial because not everyone’s teeth can safely withstand whitening. Applying it to decayed teeth can lead to infection.

Jethwa warned that illegal whitening kits containing excessive levels of hydrogen peroxide are highly dangerous. They can cause permanent scarring of the gums, destroy tooth enamel, damage nerves, and cause chemical burns to the lining of the mouth. If accidentally swallowed, they may even cause a medical emergency.

He urged anyone considering teeth whitening to seek advice from a dentist first, as professional cleaning by a dental hygienist may be enough to reduce staining.

Kellie Howson, 54, paid £65 for a gel treatment at a beauty salon in 2015, hoping it would give her dazzling teeth. However, shortly into the appointment, her gums started to hurt and the pain worsened until she was in agony. She had to have four teeth removed to stop the pain, as some of the damage caused by the gel was irreversible.

“It destroyed my confidence. I didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to see anyone,” she said. The beautician who did her treatment was prosecuted for unlawfully practicing dentistry and had to pay £250 compensation. But it took Ms. Howson years and tens of thousands of pounds to repair some of the damage done by the treatment.

Warning others, she said: “I just don’t think there is enough knowledge about this. You go on social media and see so many offers.”

The BBC investigation began when they were contacted by a beautician who reported that the problem was widespread in Merseyside. The BBC subsequently found evidence of other beauticians in the Merseyside and Manchester areas selling kits containing chemicals above the safe legal limit online.

Some of the products were advertised as containing ‘extreme bleach’ and bragged that they are ‘so strong it’s not available to buy in the UK’. An undercover reporter reached out to salons and arranged to meet them to buy the whitening kits.

White n Bright in Droylsden in Manchester advertised kits containing 35 per cent carbamide, which breaks down and releases hydrogen peroxide when it touches moist surfaces like teeth in the mouth. At this strength, the kit breaks down into around 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide, which is equivalent to 120 times the legal safe limit and double the strength that dentists are allowed to use.

When the BBC reporter collected a kit, she was handed two syringes of ‘whitening gel’ in a plastic sandwich bag with no instructions or safety advice. She was handed it on the doorstep of the seller’s home by someone the BBC understands to be a relative of the seller.

They also purchased a kit from Pearly White Diamonds, which included an online training course in the £300 package. Their kit contained ‘high’ and ‘extreme’ hydrogen peroxide gels described as being up to 35 per cent and 53 per cent in strength respectively.

This company’s owner directed the BBC reporter to meet them in a retirement home car park to collect the kit. Ahead of the meeting, the owner sent a message to the reporter that read: “Are you aware the rules have changed who can whiten teeth? In 2012 it changed from anyone to dentist only… however as you will be aware everyone’s still doing it anyway.”

The boss who met her in the car park said the rule change “doesn’t make a difference, to be honest.” She handed her three sparkly party bags which contained unlabelled gels, a pre-signed teeth whitening-qualification, and a set of plastic teeth to practice on.

Then over the next few days, the boss delivered the ‘training course’ in the form of three messages sent via WhatsApp. In the messages, she shared advice on where to apply the gel, patient safety, and satisfaction. Concerningly, the boss advised the reporter “practice on friends and family” after reading the instructions.

The BBC discovered a beautician based in Wirral who had completed one of the training courses by Pearly White Diamonds. This was the owner of Hannah Louise Aesthetics, who had posted a picture of a certificate to claim she was qualified to treat clients. The certificate was similar to the fraudulent teeth whitening qualification that the BBC reporter had received.

The company, Hannah Louise Aesthetics, also advertised teeth whitening treatments. These included ‘extreme’ strength gels, as well as ‘hybrid gels’ which contained 22 per cent hydrogen peroxide and 22 per cent carbamide peroxide, respectively.

All three companies, White n Bright, Pearly White Diamonds, and Hannah Louise Aesthetics declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

The kits bought by the BBC were sent to a laboratory at the University of Lancashire, which confirmed they contained the advertised levels of the chemicals. These tests revealed the contained levels of hydrogen peroxide of up to 53 per cent, which is eight times the safe level qualified dentists can use.