article_snippet.sent: In America, sales of tooth whitening products have risen 300 per cent since 1996, and the trend for excessive bleaching has grown so commonplace there that dentists have coined a new word for it
article_snippet.sent: Almost a third of Britons are now preoccupied with whitening Britons teeth, and research this week revealed the highest-earning cosmetic dentists made a collective turnover of £1 billion last year — a 22 per cent increase from 2010.
article_snippet.sent: ‘her teeth looked grey in comparison after years of caffeinated drinks and caffeinated drinks were affecting my confidence,’ Teresa, a banking finance officer from London says.
article_snippet.sent: I knew I was being irrational, but having white teeth had become a part of my identity.
article_snippet.sent: Ironically, the changes made to the law in 2012, which were supposed to protect patients’ dental health, have seen a flood of illegal DIY whitening products on to the market, alongside unqualified practitioners who cater for those — like Teresa — who can’t afford a dentist’s whitening service.
article_snippet.sent: There has been an upsurge in beauticians whitening teeth with unregulated materials,’ says Dr Druian.
article_snippet.sent: It didn’t feel professional or hygienic, but this was my first experience of tooth whitening.
article_snippet.sent: At work, having white teeth makes me look more professional,’ Donna ( says.
article_snippet.sent: And having so many pictures of ourselves plastered on social media makes it obvious who has whitened their teeth and who hasn’t.
article_snippet.sent: Un-whitened teeth look dirty.
article_snippet.sent: ‘Tooth whitening is addictive, and I’ll carry on bleaching Tooth whitening for ever.’