Teeth Whitening Protection - A New Reason To Smile?

A new EU Council Directive was passed in the final quarter of 2011, which will control the use of hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening products. The aim of the new Directive is to heighten patient awareness and safety in terms of the provision of teeth whitening treatments.

The Irish Dental Association has previously expressed concern in respect of some teeth whitening products, claiming that many of them range from "useless to dangerous". Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical agent used in the teeth whitening process. The new Directive regulates the amount of hydrogen peroxide that can be used in any such product depending on the dosage, which has been divided up into three different categories. These are a hydrogen peroxide content of 1) up to 0.1%, 2) between 0.1% and 6%, and 3) over 6%.