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Smile Rehab Teeth Whitening Kit by Harvey & Coco contains sodium perborate monohydrate, according to its product listing. The poisonous chemical has been banned by the EU for cosmetic use for nearly a decade as studies have shown it can damage fertility and harm unborn babies.
The use of the chemical in such a popular product is ‘very serious’ and people take a ‘big risk’ using it. There is a big risk in buying and using kits like this because sodium perborate monohydrate may damage the enamel permanently.
The European Commission’s Scientific Commission on Consumer Safety banned the use of sodium perborate in cosmetics in June 2010. Since then, perborates have been classed as reproductive toxicity category three – meaning there is a risk they can damage fertility. As well as harming teeth, the chemical can lead to abnormalities in foetuses and low birth weights, according to animal studies.
The National Institutes of Health in the US warns sodium perborate can also cause injuries of the mouth and oesophagus, chemical burns, and gum damage.
It can lead to irritation of the eyes and skin, vomiting, diarrhoea, and can even be deadly in very high amounts.
The whitening kit, sold through Amazon by Sheffield-based firm TTWC Beauty Products Limited, may have been bought thousands of times by unwitting buyers.
It can lead to irritation of the eyes and skin, vomiting, diarrhoea, and can even be deadly in very high amounts.
The whitening kit, sold through Amazon by Sheffield-based firm TTWC Beauty Products Limited, may have been bought thousands of times by unwitting buyers.
Tooth whitening needs to be carried out safely and in the best interest of patients by registered dental professionals.
‘Some fraudsters have used dangerous chemicals, including toxic or banned substances such as sodium perborate, that can severely burn gums, or irreparably damage teeth. The BDA believes that more needs to be done to stamp out illegal teeth whitening.
‘Some fraudsters have used dangerous chemicals, including toxic or banned substances such as sodium perborate, that can severely burn gums, or irreparably damage teeth. The BDA believes that more needs to be done to stamp out illegal teeth whitening.
The kit claims to be peroxide-free, despite sodium perborate breaking down into hydrogen peroxide when it’s mixed with water. General Dental Council guidance says: ‘Sodium perborate is not safe to use in cosmetic products and was banned from use in in December 2010.’ And it adds: ‘It is classed as a reproductive toxicant, amongst other things.’
The British Dental Association says on its website: ‘Due to serious concerns regarding the safety of sodium perborate-based whitening products, these whitening agents should not be used.’ None of the other top 10 best-selling whitening kits admit to containing sodium perborate.Dr Marques added: ‘[The chemical] can cause severe destruction of the gums and soft tissues and can be dangerous for the general health if even a small amount is ingested.
‘Sodium perborate is a prohibited substance under the cosmetic products safety regulations because it can cause harm to fertility and unborn children.’