Individuals have been issued with a warning over the potential dangers of over-the-counter teeth whitening products as part of a new campaign.

The Irish Dental Association (IDA) has highlighted a number of issues with many at-home treatments, claiming that many of them range "from useless to dangerous".

Concerns over the products emerge following new plans from the European Commission to regulate the use of hydrogen peroxide, which is the primary substance used in the procedure.

As part of the proposals, officials have called for changes to the law to ensure teeth whitening is only carried out by qualified professionals.

Tom Feeny, the IDA representative on the Council of European Dentists, told Waterford Today that appropriately trained dentists are "fully qualified to carry out a full oral examination, make a diagnosis on the basis of that examination … then decide if the use of a tooth whitening product is appropriate".

This news comes after former singer Kerry Katona received teeth whitening treatment in preparation for her stint in the Big Brother house.

Image-conscious individuals contemplating teeth whitening procedures could be interested in recommendations from the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF).

According to the organisation's chief executive Dr Nigel Carter, limiting the consumption of coloured food and drink could be a natural method of protecting smiles.

His comments emerge after the Scottish Daily Herald reported actor James McAvoy had succumbed to Hollywood pressure and received cosmetic dentistry.

The X-Men star reportedly decided to get his teeth whitened and straightened, despite previous claims he was unwilling to change his appearance for his job.

Dr Carter insisted that before opting for such procedures, it is vital that people adopt an at-home routine to ensure overall oral health is maintained.

He recommended the use of fluoride toothpaste in a bid to remove often unsightly stains caused by smoking, red wine or coffee.

"Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened," he added.

People contemplating improving their smiles with teeth whitening treatment should avoid visiting high street clinics, experts have suggested.

Addressing an increase in beauty salons and high street establishments offering the procedure, the General Dental Council (GDC) warned patients about the possibility of untrained practitioners.

Patients should seek professional treatment from an appropriately qualified practitioner to avoid the development of associated health risks, according to the GDC.

Dentist Graeme Tattersfield from Thornhill Dental Practice told the Dewsbury Reporter that members of the public should attend a reputable surgery when undergoing teeth whitening.

He said: "Even though whitening may appear a simple procedure, people need to ensure that the person is a trained dental professional."

This news comes after the GDC prosecuted a non-registered practitioner for performing teeth whitening procedures in Warrington.

Paul Hill was fined £6,765 after pleading guilty to four charges during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court.

People seeking teeth whitening services have been warned of the health risks associated with visiting providers who have not been given suitable training.

Angela Pierce, president of the SA Dental Association, said individuals who try to save money by not using a qualified dentist may suffer from teeth damage, the Herald Sun reports.

"We're seeing more and more people come in with more problems with industrial use of teeth bleachers," she remarked, adding that cheap prices will generally indicate that a "bargain basement service" is being provided.

Ms Pierce made the comments after Felecia Williams, a customer at a beauty treatment salon in Adelaide, said she felt "instant pain" when she was given a teeth whitening treatment by an untrained beautician and was left unable to brush her teeth for a month.

Spokesman for the British Dental Association Stuart Johnston recently told the Guardian that teeth whitening procedures need to be carried out by a dentist in order to guarantee safety.

Teeth whitening treatment has been named the fastest growing cosmetic industry by dental experts.

Statistics from the Association of Cosmetic Tooth Whitening reveal that the popularity of the procedure has risen ten per cent year on year, the Press and Journal reports.

Dental professionals have noted a significant shift in the numbers of people attending appointments for cosmetic reasons as opposed to medical in recent years.

This comes after the General Dental Council called for tougher regulations for unqualified practitioners performing tooth whitening procedures.

Cosmetic dentist Dr Jonathan Wu said: "A good dentist will find out how white you'd like your teeth and then check the health of your teeth and gums, so potential problems can be predicted."

National Smile Month, which got underway yesterday (May 15th), aims to educate people about the importance of good oral hygiene.

The scheme, which runs until June 15th, offers advice on healthy eating and effective methods of tooth care to people who are conscious about their smile. 

Emergency dentistry patients could be interested to hear that flossing regularly could prevent the development of lung problems, according to research.

Dental expert Michael Roizen has advised people to floss on a daily basis to ensure gums remain strong and healthy in a bid to reduce the risk of disease, My San Antonio reports.

Gum disease, which is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth, can be responsible for a number of serious health issues.

The removal of the substance through regular brushing and flossing could significantly reduce the risk of developing lung problems.

Scientists claim that people who suffer from diabetes, smokers and pregnant women are at increased risk of developing illness.

Teens Health urges young people to be aware of the symptoms of gum disease in order to track it down as early as possible.

Adopting more regular brushing and flossing habits could reverse the problem if tell tale signs are acknowledged in the early stages.

A mother is under investigation from child welfare authorities after a national television programme showed her injecting her daughter with Botox.

Kerry Campbell came under fire after she revealed she had given her eight-year-old daughter the treatment to improve her chances of winning beauty pageants.

Ms Campbell, who appeared on American TV show Good Morning America to defend her actions, did not reveal where she purchased the potentially dangerous substance.

Daughter Britney joined her mother on the television programme and revealed that she was used to the pain caused by the injections.

She said: "I just don't think wrinkles are nice on little girls."

Meanwhile, a British mother revealed she gave her 15-year-old daughter permission to receive the injection during a Spanish holiday, the Sun reports.

Sarah Burge, who has spent £500,000 on cosmetic surgery for herself, supported her teenage daughter's decision to have the treatment in a bid to maintain her youthful complexion.

People contemplating cosmetic dentistry could opt for laser teeth whitening in a bid to improve their smile.

The procedure is a fast and effective way to make natural teeth dazzle as well as improve people's confidence.

Using both a protective spray and gel during the process, the procedure uses LED laser lights to brighten the teeth.

The light is then left in place for 15 minutes and the process is completed several more times in order to achieve the best results, the Mayo Advertiser points out.

Removal of stains from the teeth is one of the primary reasons patients opt to receive the treatment.

An increase in the number of celebrities choosing to have their teeth whitened has also resulted in a significant rise in its popularity.

Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Zac Efron are among the people who favour this method of cosmetic dentistry in order to perfect their Hollywood smiles. 

Teeth whitening treatments can give those who undergo the procedure a greater level of self confidence, an expert has claimed.

With the popularity of the painless treatment currently on the rise, cosmetic dermatologist Dr Cristin Dowd has explained the positive effects teeth whitening can have on a person's self belief.

Research has suggested that most people make the decision to have whitening treatments to improve their appearance and subsequently make themselves feel more attractive, according to Michael Colucci, an author for Teeth Whitening Tips in an article published on ezinarticles.com.

Mr Colucci said the painless nature of the procedure is another factor which adds to the popularity of this particular type of cosmetic dentistry.

AboutCosmeticDentistry.com also found teeth whitening procedures to minimise the appearance of wrinkles on ageing skin, making it an effective option for older people who want to maintain their young appearance.

The treatment can have a positive effect on teeth that are not naturally white, as well as combat stains caused by smoking, and colourful beverages such as tea, coffee and wine. 

Dental implants are an effective method of replacing missing teeth but dentists in Canada are uncertain about performing the procedure on young people.

In an article for Canada's Oral Health Journal, Dr Todd Welch has conveyed uncertainty in performing dental implants on teenagers due to the fact that facial and jaw development may not be complete.

However, Dr Welch acknowledged the loss of confidence a young person would feel after losing a tooth and suggested dentists across the world are faced with a dilemma.

Dental implant surgery has proven to be a hugely successful method of tooth repair in adults, he stated. The procedure includes the use of a fake root which is placed within the bone to give the appearance of a real tooth.

Dr Welch added: "This issue has been studied in giant literature and also proven in clinical practice."

"Sometimes, placing implants too early can be remedied by changing the crowns which attach to them."