Since the smoking ban was introduced into the UK, there has been a 12% increase in tooth whitening treatments according to consumer magazine Which? The figures suggest that since smoking in pubs and clubs was made illegal in the UK, the number of people seeking cosmetic dentistry has increased.

The UK cosmetic dentistry industry is worth around £1 billion. With many people vowing to give up since the ban, it appears that many people are looking for an improved smile to go with their improved health. Smoking tends to damage and stain teeth, therefore when smokers stop, it is no surprise that many realise that their smile could be a lot better and having stopped smoking, the treatment will hopefully be a more permanent fixture.

However, care must be taken if the patient opts for a home whitening kit rather than visiting a home dentist. Some kits can contain illegally high levels of the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide. Therefore it is important to choose a well-regarded brand name to ensure that the kit is safe. It is also important for those considering any sort of professional cosmetic dentistry to choose their surgeon carefully to ensure they get the best possible results. There are instances where higher levels of hydrogen peroxide can safely be applied to the teeth to aid bleaching, however the treatment should only ever be done under the care of a qualified dentist.