TEETH WHITENING FAQs

I definitely recommend it. To ensure the best results you need the perfect foundation for your whitening, so we ask that you get professional cleaning 4 to 3 months prior to your appointment. If you don't remove signs of calculus or plaque on your teeth, whitening results may be diminished. As a registered dental hygienist I perform a mini touch-up before the whitening treatment, however this does not replace a hygienist appointment.

A valid concern! My passion for safe teeth whitening solutions is what drives me. 1. Pap+ Formula for sensitive teeth: PAP+ Professional formula (Phthalimido-peroxy-caproic acid), known for its safe and non-invasive nature. Research validates that PAP+ is gentle on your teeth. It prevents enamel erosion, preserves tooth hardness, and does not irritate oral tissues. It's balanced pH level 7.5-8 is close to that of water pH 7 and helps reduce sensitivity. For more insights on PAP+ follow the links at the bottom of Pap+ page. 2. New hydrogen Peroxide treatment: Our NEW improved hydrogen peroxide formula with Nano Hydroxyapatitie replaces minerals which may be lost during the bleaching process to minimise any sensitivity and strengthen your enamel.

Pap+ professional treatment: No, you won't experience any pain, discomfort like 'zingers' or gum burns The only slight discomfort might come from the lip and cheek retractors, but don't worry, I have an array of comfortable retractors fitted for different mouth shapes to ensure a pleasant experience. Your comfort is my priority! Hydrogen Peroxide treatment: This NEW formulation endeavours to reduce sensitivity with the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite and reduced treatment times. The only slight discomfort might come from the lip and cheek retractors, but don't worry, I have an array of comfortable retractors fitted for different mouth shapes to ensure a pleasant experience.

Price alone doesn’t tell you much. Compare what’s actually included: 1. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide in the gel 2. How many gel applications you get in one session 3. The starting shade of the client’s teeth in before and after photos, since a lighter starting shade needs less treatment to show a visible change. Starting shade often varies with age, since enamel naturally thins over time and more of the tooth’s underlying colour becomes visible 4. What’s included in the package. At Polish + White, the cost includes 3 pre-filled trays of 15% HP, to help protect against colour drop and enhance and stabilise your resultsChoose a provider registered with the New Zealand Dental Council. Registered dentists and hygienists complete significantly more clinical training than technicians, who need only a short course. A registered provider should also be transparent about ingredients and gel pH.A higher price often reflects the level of training, sterilisation standards, and safety equipment behind the treatment, including professional dental grade gels, a prior examination to safely confirm you’re a suitable candidate, and adherence to the Dental Council’s code of conduct and advertising guidelines. It also reflects ongoing costs like annual Dental Council of New Zealand registration, which runs over $1,000 a year, a two-yearly resuscitation course to remain compliant to practise, sterilisation protocols, and other compliance costs.Under EPA hazardous substance rules in New Zealand, non-dentist whitening technicians are limited to gels of up to 12% hydrogen peroxide for in-chair use. Anything above that is used only by, or with input from, a registered dentist. I work with a dentist I can consult directly if a case needs it.*Common terms for HP gel strength, and what I use at Polish + White: • Light or Maintenance: usually around 6% HP. I use a hybrid of 35% HP and 44% CP • Medium or Enhance: usually 10 to 12% HP. I use a hybrid of 44% CP and 16% HP • Strong or Ultra: 30 to 40% HP, registered dentist or supervised hygienist only*Application's refers to how many times a fresh layer of gel goes on during a session, each followed by a set time under the LED light before it’s suctioned off.

New Zealand law sets the difference. Under EPA rules, non-dentist whitening technicians are limited to gels up to 12% hydrogen peroxide. Registered dentists and hygienists use higher strengths, up to 30-40% HP for stronger cases, and I consult directly with a dentist when one needs it.Higher concentrations, delivered safely, mean faster results. A 6% gel typically needs 14 to 20 days of home use for a shade change a single in-chair session with a stronger gel delivers in one visit. Overall lightening still depends on your starting shade and staining type, not concentration alone.Before treatment, a registered provider checks your mouth is ready: decay, gum recession, thinning enamel. Gel against exposed dentine or a cavity causes real pain, and technicians aren’t trained to screen for this.The price difference reflects more than the gel. It covers annual Dental Council registration (over $1,000 a year), a two-yearly resuscitation course, sterilisation protocols, and a clinical assessment before any whitening starts. At Polish + White, gels are mixed fresh in a twin-barrel syringe before each application, which brings the pH down for safer use.

Unfortunately whitening only works on natural teeth. There may not be any visible shade changes where you have man-made materials such as veneers, crowns, white fillings or anything below: Crowns and veneers / Anterior Composites (white fillings) / Tetracycline (anti-biotic) staining / Amalgam (silver) filling staining / Trauma to teeth or Endodontic discolouration / Icon® resin infiltrated anterior teeth / Fluorosis or enamel Hypoplasia - please note: Demineralisation (white spots) caused by orthodontics can be unmasked (revealed) from whitening. However if you have an old crown that was originally matched to lighter teeth, whitening can help realign the color with your natural teeth. If you have white fillings that have yellowed, you might consider replacing them post-whitening. It's advisable to consult with your dentist. Alternatively, you can book a complimentary consultation with me for expert guidance! Click here to schedule

Whitening is not suitable if you are on light-sensitive medication, under 18, Pregnant or breastfeeding.

The extent of teeth whitening results differ based on individual factors. There will always be variations between patients because they start with different size teeth, different baseline shades, different levels of dentine sclerosis, different amounts of secondary dentine, and different levels of translucency of their enamel. This is a biological variation, you can't do anything about . Most patients find that their teeth will lighten at least 1-2 shades on a dentist's shade guide and on average 4-8 shades. Some patients may require additional sessions. Yellow and brown stains usually lighten better than grey or blue stains. The whiter your teeth are to start with, the less shade movement you will get compared to someone with yellow or stained teeth. To make sure we achieve optimal results, I will tailor a specific whitening plan for you before the treatment starts.

Most clients maintain results for around 12 months and even up to 2-3 years . Those with a highly pigmented diet (such as red wine or coffee) may notice fading sooner — often around 6–9 months  Regular low-strength maintenance whitening can help refresh brightness and extend results. The longevity of your whitening results depends on your oral hygiene and lifestyle choices. Brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and regular dental check-ups and 6 monthly hyginist appointments can extend the effects for over a year. However, if you frequently enjoy red wine and/or coffee, you might find that an additional whitening session helps maintain the best results.

Nano-hydroxyapatite is more superior to hydroxyapatite, as it can penetrate dental tubules as its small enough to repair from within, unlike regular hydroxyapatite that only sits on the surface as it is to big to fit into the tubules. Nano Hap is more effective at desensitising as it can seal the tubules. Always make sure that the Nano-hydroxyapatite is rod shaped, such as nanoXIM•CarePaste from FLUIDINOVA, is certified as safe for oral care and is 100% nature-identical. It is the only rod-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite globally approved as safe for oral care cosmetics by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European authorities.

No: Not when delivered within professional guidelines, correct pH and not over using. Clinical studies show that hydrogen peroxide whitening works by breaking down stain molecules within the tooth and does not remove or change the underlying enamel structure , whitening may cause temporary, surface-level changes to enamel, such as mild roughness or short-term mineral shifts. These effects are generally: Mild Limited to the enamel surface Reversible In the oral environment, saliva plays an important role in rehydrating and naturally remineralising enamel, with enamel properties typically returning to baseline following treatment. When whitening is carried out using correctly formulated gels, controlled exposure times, and professional supervision, no long-term damage to enamel has been shown. Supportive measures, such as fluoride exposure and enamel-supporting ingredients like nano-hydroxyapatite, may be used to help maintain enamel surface integrity and comfort during and after whitening, alongside normal saliva-driven remineralisation. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260759037_Tooth-bleaching_procedures_and_their_controversial_effects_A_Literature_Review/fulltext/53d1166d0cf25dc05cfe92d6/Tooth-bleaching-procedures-and-their-controversial-effects-A-Literature-Review.pdf?origin=publication_detail&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uRG93bmxvYWQiLCJwcmV2aW91c1BhZ2UiOiJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbiJ9fQ

General usage recommendations ( always follow the suppliers guidelines ) - High-strength HP: Once a year - Low-strength HP: Every 1-2 or 3 months for maintenance - Mid-strength HP: Every 3-6 months

Hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening is considered safe when used within professional guidelines, including gum protection, professionally formulated dental gels with an optimal pH, and avoidance of over-bleaching. Clinical studies show that whitening works by breaking down stain molecules inside the tooth without removing enamel. Any effects on enamel or sensitivity are typically mild, temporary, and reversible, especially when treatment is professionally supervised with controlled concentrations, correct pH balance, appropriate exposure times, and spacing between treatments. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260759037_Tooth-bleaching_procedures_and_their_controversial_effects_A_Literature_Review/fulltext/53d1166d0cf25dc05cfe92d6/Tooth-bleaching-procedures-and-their-controversial-effects-A-Literature-Review.pdf?origin=publication_detail&_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uRG93bmxvYWQiLCJwcmV2aW91c1BhZ2UiOiJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbiJ9fQ

In-chair whitening using 35% hydrogen peroxide typically lasts from around 12 months but can last up to 2–3 years. Most clients maintain noticeable results for around 12 months, with gradual fading over time. Those with a highly pigmented diet (such as red wine or coffee) may notice colour changes sooner — often around 6–9 months. Low-strength maintenance whitening can help refresh brightness and extend results. To extend results, avoid staining foods/drinks (coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries), maintain good oral hygiene, regular hygiene appointments, and use touch-ups as recommended by a dentist. Dentist-provided take-home whitening kits, which use custom trays and professional-grade gels, typically deliver results that last around six months to one year or longer when supported by good oral hygiene and mindful dietary habits. In contrast, over-the-counter whitening products such as strips, gels, and whitening toothpastes generally produce shorter-lived and less noticeable results, with colour improvements often fading within a few months to up to six–twelve months, depending on product strength, consistency of use, and lifestyle factors.

Yes. At Polish & White, teeth whitening is personally delivered by Marnie St George, a registered dental hygienist, following an oral health assessment. Factors such as natural tooth colour, existing dental work, lifestyle habits, and sensitivity risk are considered before treatment. Whitening strength, timing, and supportive measures may be adjusted to suit individual needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

You should get the whitening done first then the composite fillings placed 2 weeks after. This way the whitened tooth colour has had time to settle and you can match the composite shade to the tooth. This also ensures proper adhesion of the new composite resin material to the tooth.

Because immediately after whitening, small amounts of residual oxygen can remain in the tooth surface. This can temporarily reduce how well new bonding materials attach to enamel or dentine. For this reason: Any new fillings or bonding are usually delayed for 7-10 days days after whitening, or Specific clinical techniques may be used to restore normal bonding strength. Once this short recovery period has passed, bonding strength returns to normal.

Whitening gels do not change the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers, or bonding.

No clinical studies show a link between dental whitening lights and cancer. Some research on UV radiation more broadly suggests oral tissue may be as sensitive to UV-related cell damage as skin, which is part of why the dental industry has largely moved from UV to LED activation lights. At Polish + White, whitening is activated using LED Beyond II light, not UV.Read more in the link :https://dentalhealthsociety.com/teeth-whitening/is-there-a-link-between-uv-light-teeth-whitening-and-cancer/

You need to wait 2 weeks or more after filler because lip retraction can move the filler from the site of injection. Make sure to inform your dental team of any recent lip, cheek or nasal filler treatment when making the appointment.