By Dana Wilton
The make up artists at TV3 take teeth whitening very seriously. Nothing finishes off a face better than a white smile (besides good skin, but that can be faked). Your teeth don’t have to be as white as pure snow, but they should be as white as your eyes.
White teeth are the ultimate accessory. I don’t care what anyone says, nothing looks healthier than a pearly white smile. No glamorous foundation, Dior lipstick or Botox can make such an improvement to one's appearance. A bright smile makes you appear confident, young and wealthy and even makes your skin look brighter. It can also avert the eye from any so-called ‘imperfections’ that may bother you such as a ‘large nose’ or ‘skinny lips’. A crooked or gap toothed smile looks especially charming when its dazzling white (like Kate Moss and singer Jewel).
I highly recommend whitening your teeth before trying botox and fillers. It is certainly less expensive and invasive and arguably more effective at making you look younger. When you have white teeth, everything about your grooming becomes easier too. You’ll need less bronzing powder, faux tan, and you can wear just a clear lip-gloss or tinted balm and looked polished and fresh. You may find you don’t need those dangly earrings or that smoky eye to distract your audience anymore.
Fair skinned women especially benefit from teeth whitening as it provides contrast with their skin tone.
Furthermore, it is something we can control. We can make a choice to have a whiter smile. So many of us drink coffee and red wine every day without a thought to what it might be doing to our tooth colour. Counteract these habits with thought to your tooth routine. That doesn’t mean scrubbing your nashers harshly with a firm brush for five minutes in the shower every day. It means being smart about your mouth and taking advantage of the modern products that are now out here on the market by reputable brands. If strapped for cash, there are numerous affordable options.
The party season is here and its time to get serious. Cut down on that coffee and red wine and when at a shindig, stick to vodka and gin for drinks. Stay inside to avoid being tempted into a having a cigarette and don’t dunk any Japanese nibbles in the soy sauce. Go to the dentist for a hygiene treatment and check up before you begin your teeth-whitening programme.
Tartar can interfere with your whitening so get it all off before hand! Remember that there is a limit to how white your teeth can be. Oral antibiotics taken as a child can cause greyness that can limit your whitening potential. Don’t get obsessive about bleaching and brushing as it can weaken your dentin. Stick to the instructions, be gentle and chat about the best options with your trusted dentist (We recommend TV3's preferred cosmetic dentist Dr Adrian Tan Dental Associates.
Examine your gums for wear and tear and floss every day.
We have investigated some of the best procedures and products out there and there is definitely something for everyone. Take a look at what we tried out….
ZOOM! In-chair whitening + Take home bleaching kit + full exam and clean $499
Dental Associates 09 365 1565
Claims: Zoom safely whitens teeth an average of 8 shades. In-Chair whitening and home bleaching will give the best results.
Guinea Pig says: As part of Pimp my Presenter’ on Sunrise, Dr Adrian Tan of Dental Associates performed Zoom! In-chair whitening on Oliver Driver and Rod Chessman (who hadn’t been to a dentist as an adult). I was staggered by the results as they both looked about 5 years younger. I wanted that too, so off I went to the dentist.
Dental Associates is an upmarket looking place in the Viaduct and I was a bit nervous about the state of my teeth. Dr Tan put me at ease however and I was soon discussing the state of my fillings with him as we examined extreme close up photos of my mouth on a massive high definition flat screen. It was quite an eye opener! I am now planning on getting a nice gold crown…but that’s another story.
After some impressions were taken of my teeth (that’s the fun part) the hydrogen peroxide gel was applied and the intense blue light is placed in front of your teeth for 15 minutes. This is repeated three times, but I can tell you I only lasted 2 sessions. I had all the ‘zings’ tingling and aching I was warned about. I can’t believe Oliver had all 3 sessions! Mind you I do have sensitive teeth because I brush too hard and have some exposed nerves as a result. While I was under the light Dr Tan was making my custom mouthguards, which were to take home with some bleaching syringes. Yay! The results were amazing considering I only had 2 sessions! What a difference! I almost ran up the back of someone driving home, as I couldn’t stop looking at my teeth in the rear view mirror.
The mouthguards fit so perfectly and comfortably you forget you are wearing them which makes the at-home bleaching a pleasure. I really started to look like a movie star after two sessions at home with the mouth trays and gel on.
I think this professional treatment is affordable and super effective. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended.
Pure White Professional Teeth Whitening System
$65.00
Available from pharmacies, dentists and appearance medicine clinics.
This exciting product is brand new and is creating a real buzz with beauty expects.
It’s going to be very popular! This is the first professional teeth whitening system in New Zealand that comes in a convient gel strip. It promises fast,effective, long-lasting results for up to 18 months! Dentistry tested and approved, these strips are coated with hydrogen peroxide and resistant to movement. The strips are applied to top and bottom teeth for 30mins and results are seen in as little as 48 hours. Check out our Guinea Pigs review next week………
Oral B Triumph with SmartGuide
$209.99
Stockists: 0800 441 058
Claims: This clever new power toothbrush is Oral B’s most technically advanced, state of the art power toothbrush to hit the market with a wireless display and customised settings to enhance cleaning performance. It’s like having a dental professional in your bathroom!
Guinea Pig says: I have only ever used one of those battery-operated toothbrushes before. I have been using this for two weeks now and am totally converted! It really feels like I have had my teeth cleaned by the dentist. The timer is great and makes you really concentrate on every tooth. I like the different settings it offers especially the massage setting for my gums. It feels like the brush gets right in between my teeth like floss does which is important to me. I’m absolutely hooked.
Clever White one step whitening Kit
$34.00
Claims: This claimed to whiten teeth in “Just 5 days!” Europes leading teeth whitening brand. Safe and effective. Clinically Proven. One Step, no mess.
Guinea Pig says: These are pre-wrapped mouth trays containing a gel for teeth whitening. The packets are very handy and I like the way its all “ready to go”. I used these every morning while doing my make up for a week and was pleased with the results.
Colgate 2in1 Toothpaste and Mouthwash
$5.49
Available at supermarkets and Pharmacies
A cute little pottle of whitening toothpaste and mouthwash in one. Good to pop into your hand bag to brush away that coffee breath at work. Nice maintence product that doesn’t cost anything. Keeps superficial stains at bay.
Pearl Drops Instant White Ultra Brush on Tooth Veneer
$24.99
Available at supermarkets and Pharmacies
This is a lip-gloss sized tube of tooth paint! Simply brush and dry teeth and apply in one even stroke down each tooth. Gives teeth a subtle and believable bright look. Be sure to give it a good shake before using as some of the pigments sink to the bottom of the tube. This is nice for a night out once you have practiced using it a few times. I’ve mastered the application now. What fun!