Can a dentist use a higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide than 6%? Expand Not for cosmetic reasons alone. Concentrations higher than 6% of hydrogen peroxide present or released in oral products, including tooth-whitening or bleaching products, are illegal unless they are used wholly for treating or preventing disease. It is a criminal offence to breach the Regulations.
Who can buy products containing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide for tooth whitening? Expand Tooth-whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide can only be sold to dental practitioners. For each cycle of use, the first use can only be carried out by dental practitioners or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is ensured.
When would tooth whitening be appropriate? Expand Tooth whitening would be appropriate under the following circumstances: You have carried out an appropriate clinical examination to make sure that there are no risk factors or any other oral pathology concerns. Exposure to these products is limited, to make sure that the products are only used as intended in terms of how often and how long they are applied. The products are not directly available to the consumer, but only through a dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist.
What tooth-whitening products are available over the counter? Expand Products containing or releasing less than 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide, including mouth rinses, toothpastes and tooth-whitening or bleaching products, are safe and will continue to be freely available on the market.
What is the legal age limit for tooth whitening? Expand You cannot use products containing or releasing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide on any person under 18 years of age.
Are there any training courses I can do? Expand No. The only way you can be qualified to perform tooth whitening (in the UK) is if you are a qualified dental professional and registered with the General Dental Council. Unfortunately, many unscrupulous companies see the huge, relatively untapped tooth whitening market and began selling training courses and products to unsuspecting beauticians. For £1,000-£2,000 anyone could ‘train’ to be a tooth whitening technician and receive a certificate to show that a day’s course had taught them to: Recognise all the structures of the mouth. Identify different filling materials. Identify crowns, bridges or veneers. Diagnose gum disease. Identify cavities. Identify unsuitable clients. As none of these things can be taught sufficiently in one day, these 'qualifications' invalid. It takes a dentist five-years to train.
What is the penalty for illegal tooth whitening? Expand All offences that violate the Dentists Act 1984 are punishable by an unlimited fine and conditional discharge in England and Wales. These cases are heard in the magistrates' courts. To date, the largest fine handed out has been in excess of £15,000. In total, 100% of illegal tooth whitening cases brought to court have been given a guilty verdict.
How can I tell if I have bad breath? Expand Lots of small signs can show that you have bad breath. Have you noticed people stepping away from you when you start to talk? Do people turn their cheek when you kiss them goodbye? If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too. Or, ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest with you; but do make sure they are a true friend.
Social media moveit4smilessocialmedia Expand Social Media Shout about your fundraising efforts on social media. By sharing your plans, family and friends can get behind you by donating. It will also help raise awareness about mouth cancer and HPV. Here are a few examples of posts and images that you can use: Over two days in September, I will be going up #Snowdonia for @mouthcanceraction. By improving awareness of mouth cancer, we can reduce the number of lives lost to the disease. Please sponsor me here dentalhealth.org/donate/moveit4smiles – thanks! I’m walking up Snowdonia for @mouthcanceraction to raise awareness about how important the HPV vaccine is. Whether you have a girl or boy in Year 8, please get them vaccinated. It’s a life-saving jab! Please donate dentalhealth.org/donate/moveit4smiles #cervicalcancer #mouthcancer Please donate – I’m conquering Snowdonia for @mouthcanceraction. Across two days our team will be hiking 15km to raise awareness about the importance of the HPV vaccine. I’m fundraising for @mouthcanceraction. Every pound counts and I would love to have your support. Donate here dentalhealth.org/donate/moveit4smiles
Season 1 Episode 1: Healthy Gums Dr Ben Atkins is joined by Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, and Dr Saoirse O'Toole, a Clinical Lecturer at King's College London, to discuss the topic of gum health. Expand Listen using the player above or you can subscribe to us on any of these networks:
A Expand Abseil Challenge yourself and face your fears whilst raising money for charity. Have a look and see which abseil centres are open near you. Action packed challenge Take on a bike ride, marathon or bear grills challenge and push your limits Aerobics class Run an aerobics class and raise funds whilst getting fit Art exhibition Are you a budding artist? Challenge yourself by putting on an exhibition of your latest work and ask people for donations. Auction Organise either an online or in person auction and donate the proceeds to charity.
B Expand Bag packing Ask your local supermarket if you can help customers pack bags whilst collecting donations. Bake sale For an extra challenge try to make them all sugar free! BBQ Beard shaving Birthday fundraiser Ask for charitable donations instead of gifts for your birthday. Lots of people do this via Facebook giving, but you can also set up a fundraising page right here on our website. Bonfire night Make some sugar free candy apples and enjoy a firework display whilst raising money for charity. Brunch fundraising Bollywood party A Bollywood Party is a fantastic theme for any event. Either charge people admission and donate proceeds to charity or have collection buckets available for donations. Bucket collection Take to the streets or put a donation bucket on display in your workplace - just make sure you ask permission first!
C Expand Car boot sale Having a clear out? Have a car boot sale and donate some or all of the proceeds. Carol concert Coffee morning Come Dine with Me Have a come dine with me competition with a few friends and see who comes up trumps, put some money into a prize pool for the winner and then donate a percentage to charity. Craft fair Curry night Cook-off
E Expand Easter egg hunt or raffle eBay sale When posting a listing on eBay you can choose to donate a portion of the sale to a charity of your choice. It's up to you how much you want to pledge. Egg and spoon race Eighties evening Break out the leg warmers and have an evening of 80s themed fun.
L Expand Ladies lunch LEJOG (Land’s End to John O’Groats) Limbo competition Line dancing Live music Loose change collection