Frequently Asked Questions

Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes in the tooth material. Discoloration falls into three main categories:

Extrinsic discoloration — This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained by coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic discoloration — This is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. Causes include excessive exposure to fluoride during early childhood, the maternal use of tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy and the use of tetracycline antibiotics in children 8 years old or younger.

Age-related discoloration — This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In addition to stains caused by foods or smoking, the dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Chips or other injuries to a tooth can also cause discoloration, especially when the pulp has been damaged.

No – if you have your teeth professionally whitened there is no risk of short or long-term damage. The treatment does not change the shape or structure of your teeth, and the whitening gel has a neutral pH – ensuring it is completely safe on your teeth (orange juice and soft drinks are more harmful to your teeth).

The gel is a compound of water and oxygen and oxidises in your mouth to open the pores in the teeth and remove the stains. The ‘laser’ that is used is a light that has been scientifically developed for the teeth whitening industry, and acts as a catalyst to speed the process up, and will not cause any harm to the teeth.

Our advanced formula whitening gel is a maximum strength gel in accordance with New Zealand standards.

This all depends on the individual and the extent of tooth discoloration.

Generally, you can expect 2-14 shades lighter in one session. The more stained your teeth are, the more dramatic the result will be. 

It is recommended to do a top up session 6-8 weeks after your initial treatment.

 Including consultation, treatment and post treatment de-brief, please allow 90 minutes. 

We recommend all clients get a check-up and clean at their dentist prior to whitening to ensure teeth and gums are healthy. If you have extremely sensitive teeth consider using Sensodyne tooth paste prior and post treatment.

Unfortunately there is no permanent form of teeth whitening, however results will last between 6 and 12 months. How long teeth remain white after a treatment varies between clients. Teeth are porous and will always gradually stain due to lifestyle (dark foods and drinks), wear and tear and ageing.

Someone who drinks a lot of cola, eats mainly dark-coloured foods and smokes cigarettes is going to notice their teeth discolour again more quickly.  

Teeth whitening is a procedure that most people generally can have. However, it is not recommended to persons under 16, pregnant or breastfeeding or anyone with known allergies to any teeth bleaching products.

Do not have this procedure if you have incomplete dental work such as cavities, gum disease, root canals or any broken teeth. Please consult your dentist before undertaking any teeth whitening treatment. 

Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment. Therefore, it is safe for use by our trained technicians using 6% hydrogen peroxide which is the highest percent that can be used by a non-dentist. The products we use are gentle and just as effective as those used by a dentist. All our products are Australian/NZ certified, regulated and produced to the highest standard.  

For at least the first 48 hours, it’s best to avoid dark colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.  

Additionally, you’ll want to avoid highly acidic foods, like fermented fruits and vegetables or anything put in vinegar, and you’ll want to skip eating citrus fruits. 

We recommend eating light-colored foods and drinking plenty of water before, during, and after meals.  

• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chicken
• Clear alcoholic beverages, like gin, sake, white rum, vodka, white wine and light beer.
• Cucumbers
• Fish
• Milk or a milk alternative, like soy or oat milk
• Pasta and rice (no red sauces)
• Pears
• Plain or vanilla yogurt
• Quinoa
• Turkey
• Water and clear juices

100% authentic, lead and nickel free Swarovski crystals. Swarovski crystals are polished to the highest standards, so that they sparkle like diamonds. They are stain resistant and have a flat back platinum surface. 

The tooth gem application process takes approximately 15-20 minutes! 

If all aftercare instructions are followed correctly, the gem will last anywhere between 2-12 months. The natural acidity of your saliva and diet plays a big part on how long an application lasts. If for whatever reason your tooth was to reject the gem, Express Smiles will re-apply at no extra cost (within 30 days of original application). 

No. Tooth gems are completely safe and require no holes or drilling of the tooth. A dental grade bonding material is used (same for orthodontic brackets) to secure the gem in place.

Always ensure that you visit a dentist to remove your tooth gem. Please do not attempt to remove the gem at home, as our adhesives are of the highest standards. A dentist will simply remove the diamond and buff/polish the tooth to remove any remaining bonding materials. 

No, a tooth gem cannot be applied to an artificial tooth surface (such as crowns, caps, veneers or dentures) as it will not last very long. A tooth gem is recommended on a real, flat tooth surface to properly enjoy the longevity of your tooth gem. 

We recommend not eating for at least 1 hour after the application, so please ensure that you eat prior to appointment. We also recommend that you only eats soft foods for 12 hours after the gem has been applied, as the adhesives need 24 hours to reach maximum strength. It is also best to avoid highly acidic drinks for 12 hours post treatment.