Free All White travel size toothpaste on orders over $50
*While Stocks Last
Quantities of 3+ on the same product receive 10% discount
Quantities of 6+ on the same product receive 20% discount
*On top of already discounted prices!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COMMON WHITENING QUESTIONS
Q - What is Teeth Whitening? |
A - Teeth whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discolourations of enamel and dentin by using either a hydrogen peroxide formula or carbamide peroxide formula which creates an oxidation reaction.
Q - What causes tooth discolouration? |
A - There are many causes of tooth discolouration. The most common include aging, consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, red wine and tobacco. Nerve damage, trauma, old restorations can also cause discolouration and during tooth formation consumption of tetracycline or excessive fluoride may also discolour the teeth.
Q - Is there anyone who can not whiten their teeth? |
A - Whitening is contraindicated for pregnant or lactating mums, those with uncontrolled diabetes, oral problems, children under the age of 18, those who experience severe sensitivity and those who have allergies and meet any of the conditions listed in our "terms and conditions" page.
Q - How does it work? |
A - The whitening gel is placed into your custom fitted tray, once inserted over your teeth the active ingredient in the gel starts to break down. Oxygen enters into the enamel and dentin which in turn breaks down the stain inside the tooth. The structure of the tooth is not changed, only the tooth colour is made lighter.
Q - What is the difference between hydrogen peroxide formulas and carbamide peroxide formulas? |
A - There are 2 main bleaching ingredients. Carbamide peroxide (e.g. Whiter Smile Exclusive, Nite White, Day White) and hydrogen peroxide (e.g. Nite White turbo, Creat Whitestrips etc.). Comparatively, a 6% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to approximately 18% carbamide peroxide while a 10% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to approximately 30% carbamide peroxide.Hydrogen peroxide breaks down a lot quicker than carbamide peroxide formulas. Hydrogen peroxide has a very short life and is a lot stronger than carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is long acting and therefore Carbamide peroxide formulas are designed usually to be worn overnight for 7 -10 nights (dependant on strength). Due to our high strength of gel, our gel should only be worn for 15-60 minutes.
Q - Which product should i choose? |
A - It all depends on your lifestyle and preference. Visit our "product comparison" page to see all the different kit variations.
Q - Is whitening safe? |
A - Yes! Research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth with custom trays using a carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide formula is safe for teeth and gums. It is important to follow the directions of use supplied for each product. Most research available was initially done with a 10% concentration. There is no literature that we have come across showing any structural changes or irreversible damage to the tooth structure whatsoever.
Q -How long does it take? |
A - Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days, while others can take a few months. The majority of people whiten within 2-3 weeks. The more yellow versus gray color you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach and can take a few months to achieve a result. The duration of treatment for each specific product is listed seperately on each product page. Because of the varying rates, results cannot be guaranteed.
Q -How long do the results last? |
A - Once you have whitened your teeth your teeth will always be lighter than they once were. However, as we continue to eat staining food, drinks and substances our teeth will start to stain again. To keep them white all the time we do recommend maintaining your white teeth every 3-6 months by either using your gels and trays once or twice, or regularly using a teeth whitening toothpaste.
Q -What is the shelf life and wearing time of bleaching gel? |
A - Generally the shelf life of most bleaching gel is approximately 2 years if refrigerated and 1 year un-refrigerated. Un-refrigerated bleach should be stored in a dry cool environment. The wearing time is based on the strength of bleaching gel.
The percentages (%’s) refer to the concentration of bleaching agent. It is generally accepted that the higher the % of bleaching agent, the stronger the bleach and the more effective it is at bleaching. There is however, no objective research to substantiate it. One of the main advantages of the higher % is reduced wearing time. 10 - 16% can be worn for a few hours to overnight, where as a 20 - 22% bleach should only be used for up to 1 hour per application.
Q -It is difficult to spread the bleach in my custom whitening trays. Do you have any suggestions for distributing the gel more evenly? |
A - All you need to do is place a continuous line of bleach half way up on the inner side of outer wall of the whitening tray so that it forms a rope line of bleaching gel which will not run or slump. When you place the tray over the teeth, the teeth will displace the gel to cover the tooth surface (i.e. the teeth will spread the bleach).
You can see where the bleach covers the tooth and if it appears deficient in an area, you can merely touch the tray gently on the outside to move the bleach around. The gel consistency should be thick and viscous. By creating the gel with increased viscosity allows better retention of the bleach against the tooth surface and therefore more effective even whitening.
If you are refrigerating the product, allow it to sit for a few hours before using it to allow it to be more flow able.
Q -Can I whiten caps, crowns, fillings, or veneers? |
A - Whitening will NOT whiten your crowns, caps, fillings or veneers. Bleach will only whiten enamel. However, if there are any external food or drink stains on these restorations they will come off. The actual colour of the filling, cap, veneer or crown will not be altered. Any restorations on your front teeth may need to be replaced after the whitening process is finished.
If mold material gets trapped underneath the wire or bridge, it can loosen your bonded retainer/bridge or you might have difficulty removing the mold from your mouth. You may want to rather get the molds done at your dentist if you have a bridgework. We cannot be responsible for any complications.
SENSITIVITY & SIDE EFFECT QUESTIONS
Q -Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity or any side effects? |
A - All bleaching gel causes some degree of tooth sensitivity. This is sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air can cause discomfort. This is normal and an expected side effect. Some of the brands of bleaching gel contain desensitizing agents which claim to alleviate post bleaching sensitivity. From customer feedback, depending on the product, it doesn’t seem to be noticeably effective.
If your teeth do become sensitive try using the gels and trays every second day. Sensitivity will disappear within 1-3 days after completing the treatment. Don’t be concerned as bleaching does not need to be done consecutively. You will get to the same whitening point, it will just take a little longer.
Gum irritation can also occur, especially if you overfill your whitening trays. You will notice that your gum will become white. If this occurs it will disappear in a short space of time after you remove your trays. You can also place vitamin e oil on the affected area. Make sure that your trays fit correctly and you do not overload them.
For those who do suffer from extra sensitivity, using a product containing potassium nitrate as the active ingredient will help. We do sell a range of desensitizers which can be seen on our "tooth conditioning" page.
Q -During bleaching my gums were burning, leaving several areas of my gums white. Is this due to overfilling? |
A - Either your trays are covering the gum area or you overfilled the trays. All you need is either to place a small droplet in each tooth or a bleach line midway across the inner outer wall of the tray. The gums will return to normal in a few hrs i.e. the whiteness will disappear. Avoid any further bleaching until healed. Avoid hot and spicy foods till then. Next time use less and use for only 1/2 of the recommended time and then increase the time on subsequent bleaching periods.
COMMON ORDERING QUESTIONS
Q -What are your shipping rates and methods? |
A - We offer:
Australia orders
- Regular Post - 3 to 4 business days
- Express Post - next business day and second day delivery for certain country locations
Outside Australia orders
- Air Mail - 3 to 10 business days
- Registered International - 3 to 10 business days
- Express Post International - 3 to 7 business days
- Express Courier International - 2 to 4 business days
Shipping rates are calculated automatically from the Australia Post website and are based on quantities and weight.
Q -What are my payment options? |
A - We accept the following payment methods:
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Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Direct Deposit, Money Order (AUD funds only), Check (AUD funds only)
Q -How long does it take to receive my order? |
A - Most orders in Australia are sent within 2-4 business days. On some occasions delays may be experienced and shipment may be delayed. To ensure product quality, we make sure all gel (dependant on product) is sent fresh from the factory. We ask that you allow up to a total of 10 days for delivery from the time you place your order.
Q -How do I know if my order has shipped? |
A - As soon as your order has been shipped, we’ll email you shipping confirmation. The email address you provide during checkout is the one we use for any order updates.
Q -How do I track my order? |
A - Tracking is only available for orders sent via Express Post and can be tracked via the Australia Post website by entering in your specific parcels barcode number under Domestic tracking. If you require your tracking number please contact customer support at: admin@whitersmile.com.au. Include your order number and full name associated with your order and a customer support representative will assist you within one business day.
Q -What happens if I don't get my order when I expected to receive it? |
A - Most orders in Australia are sent within 2-4 business days. On some occasions delays may be experienced and shipment may be delayed. To ensure product quality, we make sure all gel (dependant on product) is sent fresh from the factory. We ask that you allow up to a total of 10 days for delivery from the time you place your order.
If you still haven’t received your order, we can help track its whereabouts as long as it was sent via express post, and will make sure that you receive your order as quickly as possible. For orders sent via regular post, because online tracking is not available, it can take a few weeks for Australia Post to conduct an investigation. Contact customer support at admin@whitersmile.com.au, including your order number and full name associated with your order and a customer support representative will assist you within one business day.
Q -What happens when a product is out of stock? |
A - We do our best to make sure we keep all items in stock, but cannot always predict when an item will become highly sought after or when a shipment to our warehouse will be delayed. When an item becomes out of stock, it will either be unavailable to purchase through our store, or may be able to purchase through backorder if the new stock is expected to arrive soon. In rare instances a product may be sold which is already out of stock, then an email will be sent immediately to the customer about their order.
Q -What if I have a problem with my order? |
A - We make every effort to ensure that your order is correct and arrives in excellent condition. If you do find a problem, please contact us immediately via email at admin@whitersmile.com.au. Include your order number and full name associated with your order and a customer support representative will assist you within one business day.
When you receive your order, please inspect the item for any damage that may have occurred during shipping. If the product has been damaged or broken during shipment, please email us immediately to receive instructions on how to obtain a replacement. Please make sure you keep all boxes, packaging materials, and damaged items for inspection. If this is not done, we are not responsible to replace the damaged item.
Q -What is your refund policy? |
A - Due to the nature of all teeth whitening products results can vary greatly from person to person depending on the type of stains the users has, it may take longer for some individuals to completely rid tough stains and therefore we are not able to refund purchases unless the product is defective.