Public safety body sets new rules for teeth bleaching

Thursday 21 June 2012

The food and product safety board has introduced new rules to stop non-qualified people bleaching teeth and to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide which can be used to carry out the process.

The measure is aimed at stemming the growth in unlicenced teeth whitening clinics, some of which use products containing up to 35% hydrogen peroxide for a faster result, Nos television said.

Currently, there are no restrictions on who can carry out whitening procedures.

Under the new rules, beauty parlours and dental hygienists will be limited to products containing 0.1% hydrogen peroxide - the same volume as can currently be bought over the counter in pharmacies.

Specialised clinics will be able to use products containing up to 6% of the whitening agent, but only if they have a qualified dentist on the premises.

The new limits are in line with European regulations and have been welcomed by dentists, Nos said. 'Teeth bleaching is not without risk,' the organisation said in a statement.

The new rules will come into effect in November.

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