People contemplating receiving teeth whitening procedures should seek treatment from a professional practitioner, experts have suggested.

According to the General Dental Council (GDC), undergoing the cosmetic process performed by an illegal or unqualified specialist could lead to health issues.

In its new publication Considering tooth whitening?, the organisation has issued an urgent warning to the public about the dangers of unregulated professionals.

The warning comes after research carried out by the GDC in 2010 revealed that 75 per cent of people believed illegal practitioners should be prosecuted.

Evlynne Gilvarry, chief executive of the organisation, said: "Tooth whitening undertaken by untrained and unregulated individuals carries significant risks and the only safe option is to consult a dentist or dental care professional."

Earlier this year the GDC outlined proposals to alter guidelines concerning the temporary registration of dentists, who carry out procedures in the UK under the supervision of qualified specialists for training, teaching or research.