Over the last few months, there has been a sharp increase in the number of enquiries about tooth whitening. It’s treatment that has seen a consistent and steady rise over the last decade but what is still most troubling the serious risks that we are still taking by opting for illegal and unsafe whitening treatment.

It has been five years since tooth whitening was ruled as an act on dentistry but as many beauticians still carry on providing the treatment, often oblivious to it being illegal, many of us continue to favour the cheaper option over the more effective and safer one.

In the issue we talk about the dangers of illegal tooth whitening and offer some advice and information if you were to decide to get your own teeth whitening.

In this edition we also have a warning about excessive consumption of sports drinks and give some tips to athletes putting their own oral health at risk – which is particularly prevalent given that the Rio Olympics is less than a week away.

We also have an update on fellow charity Mercy Ships and their dental work in Africa, the hazards of oral piercings, a new link between Hepatitis C and mouth cancer, as well as a final wrap-up on this year’s National Smile Month.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope to enjoy the rest of this month’s Word of Mouth.

Download: Word of Mouth: July 2016