An EU directive was recently passed regulating the use of hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening products. This is the ingredient which gives them their whitening power and is a bleaching agent.

In 2007, the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety made recommendations on the use of hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening products saying that products containing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide had risks for consumers, such as irritation of the gums and skin. It also said risks increased the more hydrogen peroxide in the product and the more often consumers used it.

Tooth whitening products containing up to 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide will continue to be freely available to consumers. Products that contain between 0.1% and 6% will first require consumers to have a clinical examination and one treatment given by a dentist to ensure the absence of risk factors or oral health concerns. After this, consumers can continue the treatment themselves. The new Directive prohibits the home use of tooth whitening products containing over 6% of hydrogen peroxide and stipulates that whitening using these products can only be carried out under the supervision of a dentist.

The change has been welcomed by the Irish Dental Association (IDA). It had previously warned of the dangers of products available on the internet which contain very high levels of hydrogen peroxide. At the other end of the scale some products contain very low levels of hydrogen peroxide and the IDA has said they are practically ineffective.

Member States have twelve months to transpose the Directive into national legislation after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Until then consumers should be wary of how often they use such products and assess the levels of hydrogen peroxide they contain.