PEOPLE are being warned to take extra care when having their teeth whitened after the discovery that products with excessive levels of hydrogen peroxide are being used in East Yorkshire.

The legal limit of hydrogen peroxide in a tooth-whitening product is 0.1 per cent but East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s trading standards team has recently found products being used in the county by beauticians and dentists with up to 36 per cent hydrogen peroxide in them - 360 times the permitted level.

Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used in some hair-colouring preparations and is also used in preparations designed to whiten people’s teeth. Excessive levels can damage teeth enamel.

Officers are warning the general public and dentists to ensure the products they use do not exceed the permitted level of 0.1 per cent. The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2008 and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply to dentists and beauticians and the work that they carry out.

There are alternative tooth-whitening methods that do not involve the use of hydrogen peroxide.

Colin Briggs, trading standards manager, said: “While dentists and beauticians are professionals in their area of work, use of products containing in excess of 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide is not permitted.

“Anyone involved in the business of tooth-whitening should, for the safety of their clients, read the ingredients label on any product they propose to use before applying it to teeth. If it contains excessive amounts of hydrogen peroxide, it must not be used.”

Coun Jane Evison, portfolio holder for cultural services, housing and public protection at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It is good news that more people are interested in taking greater care of the appearance of their teeth, but whiter teeth should not be to the detriment their health and wellbeing.

“We want to highlight the need for people to make sure the products used on them are not going to cause damage to their health.”

Anyone concerned about any tooth-whitening product should contact Consumer Direct by phoning 08454 040506.