NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather forecasts

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
    • The Great NZ Road Trip
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
    • Cooking the Books
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • What the Actual
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

Smile like you mean it

By Susan Edmunds
NZ Herald·
27 Nov, 2011 04:30 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Whitening can cause problems, especially when not administered by professionals. It is advised people should take care choosing the methods to do so carefully. Photo / Thinkstock

Whitening can cause problems, especially when not administered by professionals. It is advised people should take care choosing the methods to do so carefully. Photo / Thinkstock

Tooth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure but take care choosing the method, writes Susan Edmunds.

Ten years ago, summer beauty routines might have stretched as far as a fake tan and a new hairstyle. But in increasing numbers, New Zealanders are turning their attention to their teeth and applying bleach and whitening treatments to get sparkling summer smiles.

There are three main methods of tooth whitening: Dentist-administered laser treatment, done in the dentist's chair which can cost about $1000, tray gel systems designed and fitted by a dentist, costing about $500, and over-the counter treatments, starting from about $20. Beauty therapists in greater numbers are also offering tooth whitening procedures.

But whitening can cause problems, especially when it is not being administered by professionals. Dentists have reported adverse reactions ranging from teeth with holes and teeth being killed by home peroxide treatments, through to allergic reactions in mouth tissue.

Dr Adrian Tan of Dental Associates says his main concern with at-home treatments is anecdotal evidence that some of the cheaper products do not contain the right biological preservatives, and could cause allergic reactions. "I can't even buy my products at wholesale for the same price these are sold at retail." He said it was possible over-the-counter products were not held to the same standard as those used by dentists.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Regulations were approved this year governing the level of hydrogen peroxide that is allowed to be in at-home and beauty-therapist-administered tooth whitening treatments. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate gums and cause tooth sensitivity. All whiteners containing it now have to carry a warning telling consumers to stop using them if they experienced discomfort, and an advisory that they should not be used on anyone under 16.

Restrictions are to be enforced on products containing between 7 and 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide. They will be sold by only by a dentist or registered oral health practitioner. Products with more than 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide will be more tightly controlled - they will have to be administered under the supervision of a dentist.

Tan says: "My understanding is that beauty therapists and non-dentally-trained people are allowed to apply bleaching products with less than 7 per cent hydrogen peroxide. That's very different from a dentist. We'll use hydrogen peroxide as concentrated as 45 per cent."

He says the main difference is the speed of colour change. "Lower concentrations replenished constantly would achieve the same level of lightness but would require nine to 10 hours. There's more of the 'wow' effect if you go to the dentist."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Tan says people thinking about getting their teeth whitened should find out what product is being used. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone is offering the same results, as good as all the other stuff, for $45, well maybe, but I'd like to see the evidence."

Dr Graham Symes, of the New Zealand Dental Association, says: "They should see their dentist for a complete examination and X-rays to make sure there is no disease process that may be made worse from the bleaching process. They should have their teeth professionally cleaned as often this will improve the whiteness by itself. They need to be made aware of the possible complications of the bleaching process applicable to their individual situation and there needs to be a discussion as to how long the effect will last. In my opinion, the bleaching effect rarely lasts for more than a year."

The main problem with over-the-counter bleaching products is that teeth are not examined beforehand. Symes says the kind of teeth that suit whitening are those that do not have any decay, enamel defects or congenital reasons for discolouration. There can be underlying issues causing discolouration, or problems with teeth, such as exposed roots, that can make whitening difficult or not advisable.

Whether to go for tray whitening or laser whitening depends on the individual's patience to get an improvement in colour.

Discover more

Lifestyle

Beauty cosmetics: Your Top 10 Products

24 Mar 09:00 PM
Lifestyle

Oral health certificate recommended before teeth whitening

28 Mar 02:32 AM
New Zealand

Erma to probe safety of teeth whiteners

30 Mar 03:28 AM
World

Beware of dodgy teeth whiteners: victim

25 May 05:40 PM

Tan says: "You get the same results with laser whitening and trays, the only difference is the duration. If you don't mind wearing a tray every night for eight weeks, it's the same result."

He says the best results are often a laser whitening session followed up with a tray.

Consumer magazine did a study on teeth whitening recently and found that though whitening toothpastes offered no better result than brushing for longer with ordinary toothpaste, dentists, with their higher concentrations of bleach, could make a significant difference to the appearance of teeth.

Whitening was found to be most effective when the discolouration was light or evenly distributed. The most common side effect is sensitivity, mainly caused by dehydration.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Rice to the occasion: How a Queenstown brewery snagged gold at Tokyo Sake Challenge

09 May 04:15 AM
Entertainment

Lorde announces new world tour - but snubs NZ

08 May 08:14 PM
Travel

Air NZ's premium economy v Skycouch: Which is the winner?

08 May 07:00 PM

Sponsored: Top tier tiles - faux or refresh

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Rice to the occasion: How a Queenstown brewery snagged gold at Tokyo Sake Challenge

Rice to the occasion: How a Queenstown brewery snagged gold at Tokyo Sake Challenge

09 May 04:15 AM

Zenkuro was one of two non-Japanese breweries to be recognised at the challenge.

Lorde announces new world tour - but snubs NZ

Lorde announces new world tour - but snubs NZ

08 May 08:14 PM
Air NZ's premium economy v Skycouch: Which is the winner?

Air NZ's premium economy v Skycouch: Which is the winner?

08 May 07:00 PM
'Significant win': New Homegrown host city confident in pulling it off

'Significant win': New Homegrown host city confident in pulling it off

08 May 06:00 PM
Sponsored: How much is too much?
sponsored

Sponsored: How much is too much?

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP