FDA consulting sought by the American Dental Association after fears over tooth whitening chemicals.
The number of people who want whiter teeth has massively increased as celebrities display a set of whiter than white teeth. We like to emulate out favourite stars and believe that having whiter and straighter teeth is a way to knock years off our looks, indeed beauty is seen in white teeth. But, only let your dentist whiten your teeth for you or recommend the best and safest over-the-counter product otherwise you will have a very sore mouth.
The concern that unlicensed and unqualified individuals are setting up booths in shops and on cruise ships offering tooth whitening to naive passersby has led the American Dental Association (ADA) to ask the FDA or Food and Drug Administration to regulate tooth whitening chemicals.
The reason so many people can do these type of treatments is because treatments are sold which claim to get the same results as dentist’s products at a fraction of the cost, you can even do it yourself by purchasing them over the internet. but unfortunately these too good to be true offers are bed, charging customers hundreds of pounds in hidden charges, cancellation fees and international shipping costs. It is a really poor deal to think that you could buy these ‘fantastic’ teeth whitening products for a couple of dollars only to be charged hundreds more because you did not cancel the trial and were excessively charged.
It will not just be your bank balance that is damaged as a result of these offences however. Gum infections and erosion can occur if the chemicals are applied too liberally or in the wrong way. You know you have not received a good deal when your gums are rotting and your teeth still brown.
These stories has led the ADA to ask the FDA to implement classifications on the various chemicals used in tooth whitening products. This is hoped to increase customer awareness of the risks you subject yourself to when trying over-the-counter gels and pastes in the hope of getting whiter teeth.
If the FDA decides to implement classifications, then tooth whitening treatment manufacturers will require FDA consulting on the chemicals and ingredients that it deems as safe and those it does not.
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