Don’t pay for a whiter smile with your dental health

Ken Harris, who runs Sunderland’s Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry, has witnessed a rise in the trend for whiter teeth but warns that patients going anywhere other than a trained dentist could be causing their teeth more harm than good.

With some beauticians and hairdressing salons adding whitening to their services and products like charcoal tooth paste and laser lights claiming big results, Ken wants to make sure people aren’t taken in by false promises that could damage their teeth.

“The only way to whiten teeth is to use a whitening agent called carbamide peroxide, preferably in an extremely well-fitting bespoke dental tray,” said Ken, whose practice was voted the best in the country earlier this year.

“The use of laser lights is nothing more than a gimmick, and even whitening toothpastes over promise and under deliver.”

Whitening carried out by anybody other than a dentist is against the law, so Ken instructs that those craving a brighter smile should book a consultation with their dentist.