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.