It is trendy to have pristine-enameled white teeth. The success experienced by the new concept, the "Smile Bars", comes as a proof. A "Smile Bar?" This is a "teeth-beauty parlour" where, within thirty minutes, between two appointments, one can get one’s teeth whitened. Beware; be it at home with products available from the Internet, or in non-medical facilities, this practice is certainly risky toward health. The French sanitary authorities have issued a press release to warn users.
It is a joint press release by the French Agency for sanitary safety of health products (Afssaps), the French General Directorate for Fair Trading, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) and the General Direction for Health (DGS). Released on 5 December 2011, it is complementary to the worry of the French National Association of Dentists, released in September, and warns against practices that could have detrimental effects.
The press release
"More and more people use the teeth whitening, either at home, using products designed to be applied on teeth and bought on the Internet, or in facilities that offer this service.
This esthetic-purposed practice may have risks toward the consumers’ health, especially when the treatment is frequent and if the products contain or release Hydrogen Peroxide above the maximum figure allowed by the current regulation for mouth hygiene products, i.e. 0.1%.
These products may lead to teeth hyper-sensitivity (pains, increased by cold, damages to enamel that may go to a premature wear, even to brittle teeth, as well as irritations of the mucosa due to the causticity of the product.)
Further, if the products are applied too often or for too long periods, teeth may be coloured again faster.
The …
