Growing demand for white teeth (From Watford Observer)

Growing demand for white teeth

3:23pm Saturday 19th January 2008 in News

Demand for whiter teeth has boomed across Watford, but it's not just the smoking ban that is responsible for residents seeking a shinier smile.

The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has reported a 40 per cent increase in the number of whitening treatments being performed in dental surgeries, and the number is continuing to rise more than six months after the smoking ban came into effect across England, on July 1, 2007.

But dentists are split over whether the ban on cigarettes in enclosed spaces, such as pubs and clubs, is the direct cause.

Adam Gilbert, 43, from Radlett, did have the treatment after he quit smoking last April because he didn't want to stand outside whenever he had a nicotine craving, and because he was soon to become a dad.

His daughter, Gracie Mai, was born lasy week.

He said: "It wasn't too bad giving up. I gave up a couple of years ago but started again.

My teeth were a bit stained from smoking and I thought now I'd given up, I would do something about it and have a whiter smile.

"When I first had it done people noticed but it wasn't like suddenly dying your hair jet black. People would notice something different but not realise until you told them."

Dr David Bloom and Dr Jay Padayachy, from Senova Dental Studios in Leavesden Road, Watford, have reported a "remarkable" increase in demand for whitening treatments from ex-smokers.

Dr Bloom said: "Smokers can spend over a thousand pounds per year on cigarettes so when they quit, they find they have quite a lot of money free to do something they've been wanting to do for a while. And from what we're seeing, getting rid of the evidence of those years of puffing appears to be top of the list."

Other practices, however, reported a rise in treatments over the past year because of its wider availability, fall in price and because people are more conscious of their looks.

Dr Nimesh Patel, a dentist at The New Road Dental Practice in New Road, Croxley Green, said he did not believe the smoking ban was the cause of an increase in teeth whitening.

"It's always been reasonably popular," he said. "We do do a few a month but I cannot say it's particularly gone up since the smoking ban.

"Recent cases I have seen include some quite old patients but most are middle aged or younger. And they not only want their teeth whitened but want other cosmetic treatment."