7 Reasons Salon Teeth Whitening is Risky...and Illegal

Teeth whitening has become the single biggest cosmetic procedure done by dentists, simply because the effects are quick, noticeable, and relatively low cost. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the total annual revenue in the teeth whitening industry topped $11 billion at the beginning of 2015.

It’s no wonder that beauty salons want to try to take a bite out of that market, especially since there are all sorts of over-the-counter whitening options that can be used at home. It’s come to my attention quite recently that there are salons in Connecticut that are still offering teeth whitening and “laser” teeth whitening—often at a fraction of what dental offices charge.  Here is a disturbing video of promoters trying to sell salon owners whitening equipment in order to make a quick buck. 

In fact, I saw that there is a local salon that is offering the service for less money than I can buy a single professional treatment pack from my supplier wholesale.   (Please note that my supplier, PhilipsZoom, will not sell these supplies to a salon, because they actually work, are strong, and therefore are for prescription use, only; and we don’t use “lasers”—it’s an LED light that is exactly designed to interact with a precisely formulated oxidizing agent).

Nevertheless, some salons have lights they call “lasers” they will put in your mouth after they give you a tray full of god-knows-what to put inside of your mouth. 

This is dangerous and it is illegal.  Why?

Salon-based teeth whitening was considered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) in 2011, and ruled that professional teeth whitening is within the statutory definition of the “practice of dentistry,” as it poses potential harm to people if done incorrectly or with improper materials or devices. Therefore, only dentists can perform professional teeth whitening procedures. When offered by non-dentists, it is the unauthorized practice of dentistry.  

These are the reasons the DPH gave for its decision:

• Coffee, tea, wine, and other staining foods and beverages are not the only reasons people have discolored teeth. Metabolic disease, trauma to the tooth pulp and certain drugs can also cause discoloration. The decision of whether to recommend or apply bleaching agents and/or bleaching lights to a particular person’s teeth requires significant diagnostic expertise and skills, in part, to allow the provider to distinguish between pathological versus nonpathological causes of tooth discoloration.something only dentists are trained to do.

• Professional strength tooth whitening products contain potent oxidizing elements that, if applied incorrectly, can cause serious burns.

• Many studies which have analyzed the effect of light during office bleaching procedures have indicated that there are risks associated with the use of strong lights. Serious pulpal irritation, tooth sensitivity and lip burns have been reported to occur at a higher rate with the use of strong lights.

• There should be adequate eye and skin protection for the patient and the operator of the light if it is being used to enhance the product in a bleaching procedure.

• The presence of existing tooth colored restorations, veneers, bridges, and ceramic crowns, need to be evaluated and color matched in the bleaching process, which only dentists are trained to do.

• The presence of failing restorations, untreated cavities, cracks in teeth and exposed root surfaces all need to be identified and evaluated (and sometimes corrected) before such bleaching procedures are safely attempted.

• If any bleaching material enters a tooth through a defect, the patient risks permanent damage, that must be treated by Root Canal Therapy.

This ruling was immediately challenged in Federal Courts by salon owners, backed by special interest groups. The DPH’s decision was upheld both at the District Court level, and on appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal.

So why are salons still offering whitening? I suppose for the same reason anyone does illegal plastic surgery...many people desire to have a procedure done; some of those people are willing to risk their bodies hoping for a good result from an unlicensed and untrained person using inferior materials and techniques; and there are people who are willing to risk jail time and fines for illegally performing these procedures in exchange for money.

And in case you were wondering what the punishment is in Connecticut for illegaly performing teeth whitening:  it's a Class D Felony.   The maximum punishment is 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine per patient per occurrence.

Keep smiling,  

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121