Teeth whitening is a quick and painless Cosmetic procedure that enables us to safely remove years of staining from your teeth in just 1 hour. Below details some common FAQ's, but if you still have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss. Ready for whiter teeth and a brighter smile now? Simply click the Book Now button below to make your appointment.
If this is your first visit with Sparklewhite please familiarise yourself with our consultation form found HERE and contact us to discuss if you answer YES to any of the questions on it. It also contains Pre-Treatment and Aftercare information for you to follow.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
YES! Our procedure is very safe. Sparklewhite Teeth is one of the founding members of the NZCTWA (NZ Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Assoc.). It is very important to look for this TRUSTED logo. Dealing with a NZCTWA Registered Practitioner displaying the NZCTWA certification is your assurance you are dealing with a trained, qualified and safe Cosmetic Teeth Whitening practitioner who takes pride in the quality of their service and care.
Can you whiten teeth during Pregnancy or while Breastfeeding?
It is not advisable during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to increased hormone levels causing hyper sensitivity to your teeth and gums.
How soon will I see my results?
Most people get amazing results in just 60mins, whereas others require more treatments to achieve a more dramatic change. How quickly the teeth will whiten depends on several factors;
- Your starting colour of your teeth, is it just staining, thin enamel or is there some genetics involved, ie where you dont remember ever having white teeth
- Your diet, consuming staining foods, even veges and fruits when chewed change your saliva colour, sauces, curries, drinks-tea, coffee, red wine, coloured soft drinks, juices, smoking
- Your age, the older you are the more staining has absorbed into the tooth pores of the enamel over the years and you will more than likely require more than one treatment to remove this
- Your Medications,ie antibiotics (tetracycline) commonly given for tonsilitis, throat or ear infections, changes the tooth colour by staining the inside of your teeth
- Your daily hygiene, ie rinsing, flossing and brushing twice a day, as well as how often you visit your dentist or hygienist
- Your method of Teeth Whitening, i.e. an in-salon treatment, where a NZCTWA trained practitioner uses a stronger dental gel while supervising you, or if it is a Home Teeth Whitening retail kit using a lessor strength dental gel that will take longer to whiten.
Will Teeth Whitening make my crowns, bridges and veneers whiter?
Tooth whitening only works on your natural teeth. It will remove staining that has accumulated over the years and it will bring your crowns, bridges and veneers back to their original colour, but we cannot whiten anything false. A good idea is to get your teeth whitened 1-2 times before changing your false tooth so that the dentist can match this to your new coloured teeth.
How long will Teeth Whitening last?
This is entirely up to you and how well you look after your teeth after the whitening treatment. The results will last longer if you avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth. We will give you “Aftercare” Information, to take home with you with great tips on keeping your teeth looking sparkling white. Note that your tooth colour will never revert back to the starting colour, unless you have genetic yellowing. The treatment has just taken off years of your staining in just one hour. It is easy to forget what your starting colour was within hours of your treatment, and a good note to remember is that you cannot go and add those years of staining back onto your teeth over days, weeks or months.
How many treatments should I have?
To give you maximum results we may suggest a follow up treatment within 24hrs to 2weeks if you have more severe staining. Then to maintain your new tooth colour we would recommend booking you in for a maintenance treatment there after every 6-12 months.
What is a Take Home Maintenance Kit?
A Take Home Maintenance Kit is great for crooked teeth, for genetic yellowing, for when you are getting married, you have a special occasion or heading away on holiday, this way you can do your own top ups at home, hotel or work. The kit is so easy to use, no messy moulds, just paint your teeth, pop the little light in for 1/2hr & lay back and relax.
Can I Whiten my teeth while I have untreated cavities or gum problems?
It is advisable to first treat your cavities and/or gums and whiten your teeth a few days after that. If you suspect you have problems with your teeth and you are planning a Teeth Whitening procedure, we recommend going for a dental checkup first or call us first to check. In most cases we can cover the receeding gum or cavity with a wax protection and whiten prior to a dental treatment, so that the dentist can match your filling/cap/crown or veneer to the new coloured teeth.
Do I need to visit a Dentist or Hygienist first?
We recommend if you have a build up of plaque or haven’t been to a dentist or hygienist in more than a year, then we would recommend going for a checkup, scale, clean and polish, this will help enhance your tooth whitening result. We recommend waiting 7-14 days after the dentist visit if you have had a scale, clean & polish, to let the nerves settle down before having the teeth whitening procedure.
Do all Teeth Whitening procedures cause tooth sensitivity?
No. Teeth whitening should never be painful, however everyone’s sensitivity levels are different and the level of tooth sensitivity will depend on the type of Whitening procedure, ie the strength of the gel used, the length of the procedure and your dental history. Ensure that you go to a registered NZCTWA (NZ Cosmetic Teeth Whitening) practictioner to avoid this.
What if I already have sensitive teeth?
Teeth Whitening is not supposed to be painful, and we will discuss with you the causes should you have sensitivity before starting the procedure. We would recommend pain killers (Nurofen), Bonjela or Sensodyne toothpaste applied to the tooth or teeth prior to your appointment. We will discuss any questions and the procedure with you in your pre consultation as to which is the best treatment for you.
What is the right shade for my teeth?
There is no “right” shade for your teeth and it all depends on what shade you were born with. The more treatments you have the lighter your teeth will go, until they cannot go any further because of your genetics or the tooth colour you were born with.
What is Cool Light LED Whitening?
The cool LED (Light Emitting Diode) light speeds up the whitening of your treatment. The Cool Light LED Light when shone over your teeth activates the whitening gel and is used to enhance the penetration into your tooth enamel, thus improving your results.