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19/03/2008 TOOTH WHITENING DANGER WARNING
	Northamptonshire County Council’s trading standards service is warning consumers about tooth whitening products that may exceed the maximum permitted amount of hydrogen peroxide. Last Thursday trading standards officers visited a premises in Northampton and seized a number of tooth whitening products, some of which tests have shown contain over 100 times the legal amount of hydrogen peroxide. The items had been imported to the UK by the local company to be supplied on line and to dentists and other businesses carrying out tooth whitening services. This service has provided comprehensive advice to approximately 150 dentists and other businesses in the county regarding the safe limits of hydrogen peroxide in tooth whiteners. The trading standards service has provided advice to all businesses they have found selling these products in the first instance, if they are found to continue selling them after the advice has been given then further enforcement action may be taken where it can be established that these products are continued to be used or sold. Tooth whiteners often use hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent and in small amounts do not cause any harm. However, research has shown that products containing higher amounts of hydrogen peroxide can have side effects such as mouth irritation and increased tooth sensitivity to temperature changes. Also health conditions such as pre-existing tissue injuries can be irritated by using tooth whiteners and the effects of alcohol or tobacco can be exacerbated. Hydrogen peroxide can also act as a weak cancer promoter, meaning it can slightly stimulate the growth or multiplication of cancer cells. Councillor Liz Tavener, cabinet member for community safety said: “Tooth whiteners have increased in popularity over the past few years and people may have chosen one of these kits believing them to be safe to use. Anyone getting tooth whitening done by a dentist or beauty professional should ask whether the product they are using contains hydrogen peroxide > 0.1%. Anyone who thinks they may have bought these items should not use them and contact trading standards for advice by telephoning Consumer Direct 08454 040506.”

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