Best place to get teeth whitening gel in the UK

December 10, 2007 4:18 AM

Teeth whitening UK: Best place to buy the gel?

Note: I'm in the UK.

A year ago I had a teeth whitening kit made by my dentist. He gave me teeth moulds for my upper and lower teeth, plus peroxide gel.

The gel expired before I finished using it, so I need to get some more. Where's the best place? I don't want to use Ebay for fear of getting some second-rate product that'll melt my teeth. Other places don't seem to sell to end-users, only to dentists. Dentist himself doesn't appear to sell it separately but said it would "only cost around £10".

Also, I hear that the gel must be refrigerated, so is mail order even possible? Any help appreciated.

posted by deeper red to clothing, beauty, & fashion (6 comments total)

Just to clarify: so the reason you're asking is because you want to spend significantly less than £10?
posted by winston at 4:35 AM on December 10, 2007

I got a tooth whitening kit from Boots earlier this year. It came with silicone molds that you had to heat up and press against your teeth.

No refrigeration was required.

It's possible that they'll sell refill kits without the molds.
posted by roomaroo at 5:21 AM on December 10, 2007

See, here's the stupid thing about teeth whitening in the UK. It's actually ok for anyone, and I mean anyone, to sell high % gel to end users but dentists are not allowed to sell or use very strong stuff themselves (although many do). Add to this the recent crackdown on salon teeth whitening by the British Dental Association, which is stirring the shit with the beauty therapists, and you have a thoroughly messed up market. All I would say to you is if you value your teeth and you don't want to sacrifice long-term errosion for a few months of whiter teeth then just stick with what Boots has to offer.
posted by gatchaman at 6:01 AM on December 10, 2007

I've heard/read very good things about Smile Brighter. The website's not very good but I had what they offer done via my dentist (Carbamide Peroxide, although mine was 16% not 22%) and it cost me £300.
posted by villette at 6:49 AM on December 10, 2007

Sorry, messed up the link, it's Smile Brighter.
posted by villette at 6:50 AM on December 10, 2007

You can buy Opalescence on the internet, it shouldn't cost an arm and a leg! ( £300?? sheesh, for just the gel??)
posted by Wilder at 12:36 PM on December 10, 2007