frequently asked questions about teeth whitening
How does SunnaSmile actually work?
The SunnaSmile gel absorbs the LED light energy, which photo-chemically “excites” the peroxide molecules into breaking down faster. It provides “activating energy” that speeds up and improves the performance of whitening.
The SunnaSmile LED light activates the professional whitening gel upon contact to provide visible results in just 20 minutes. Stick with it for 5 days and you’ll take your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. The SunnaSmile in-studio treatment formula is slightly more potent than the at-home kit, removing years of built up stains and discolouration in just 15 minutes.
What is the shelf life of SunnaSmile?
Our SunnaSmile At-Home Whitening Kits can be kept for up to 24 months!
How long will the results last?
Results will vary from client to client depending on a number of factors, including age, original tooth colour, oral hygiene, and lifestyle habits. The best way to ensure lasting results is to practice good oral hygiene (having your teeth professionally cleaned regularly, brushing and flossing), and avoid staining habits (such as smoking) and foods/drinks that are dark in colour and high in acidity such as coffee, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, etc. If these are some of your favourite things, we recommend the SunnaSmile Home Kit to conveniently maintain ongoing stain-removal.
How long is a SunnaSmile whitening session?
An In-Studio session is 20 minutes behind the light, however, your appointment will take approximately 30 minutes with the prep and post-care. With the SunnaSmile Home Kit you whiten for 10-20 minutes per day.
Does it fade evenly? How do I remove a fading spray tan and prep for another?
The tan settles into the top layer of your skin; therefore, as your skin sloughs off – your tan goes with it. Most of the time, this process will happen evenly; however, sometimes it doesn’t. If you have fair skin and are dead set on having a dark spray tan, the chances of you having a more noticeable fade would be higher. A word of advice for anyone looking to maintain a sunless tan every two weeks, exfoliation is absolutely IMPERATIVE. We highly suggest picking up our SunnaTan Exfoliating Mitt ($18) as it will make your job so much easier, and ensure that your tans continue to look beautiful. Tanning overtop of a fading spray tan will result in a patchy, uneven looking tan. Not good! If there are places that haven’t faded as quickly as others, you can just scrub off the remaining parts to even it out. The easiest way to do this is to soak for 20 minutes in a hot bath with Epsom salts and baking soda, this will help loosen the dead skin cells containing the pigment. Once you’ve soaked, take your SunnaTan exfoliating mitt and get to work scrubbing in circular motions. You’ll be shocked at how easy the tan is to remove after soaking, and you’ll love how silky your skin is afterward. Don’t forget to lotion up or apply coconut oil after you’re finished!
Is SunnaSmile safe for sensitive teeth? will my teeth and gums be in pain after?
Expect little to no sensitivity after using SunnaSmile; it was formulated with sensitive teeth in mind. It’s safe on enamel, protects gums, causes little to no sensitivity, and is a registered natural health product. A very small percentage of people will have minor discomfort in their mouth and this normally dissipates within 10 minutes.
Can I do back-to-back treatments?
Yes! Additional treatments may be booked as close together as 24 hours – this is only encouraged as long as you are not experiencing any sensitivity.
Can I use SunnaSmile if I have crowns, caps or veneers?
SunnaSmile is safe for crowns, caps and veneers, and stains will be removed during whitening, returning to their original colour (for obvious reasons, it cannot whiten beyond the original colour).
What does SunnaSmile taste like?
Fresh, minty and lightly sweet! SunnaSmile whitening gel will not make much contact with your tongue (it’s okay if it does) so you likely won’t notice a taste to the gel at all.
What makes SunnaSmile different from other whitening treatments?
SunnaSmile is different from other whitening options in several ways: it’s safe on enamel, protects gums, causes little to no-sensitivity, is a registered natural health product and on top of all that, it’s more cost-effective. One SunnaSmile at-home whitening kit is the equivalent in whitening power to 50 tubes of whitening toothpaste, 25 dental whitening syringes and 5 packages of strips!
Can I use SunnaSmile during pregnancy?
We recommend that you contact your physician prior to using whitening while pregnant. However, no government issued restrictions currently exist.
What is the minimum age restriction to use SunnaSmile?
The recommended minimum age to use SunnaSmile is 12. If you’re unsure, please check with your dentist. Anyone under the age of 16 require parental consent.
Can I use SunnaSmile if I have gingivitis?
If you have gingivitis or any periodontal disease you should consult with your dentist prior to whitening.
Should I have a cleaning prior to whitening?
If possible, yes! And if you had not had a cleaning in the last 6 months, we highly recommend it.
How do I know this will work for me?
All teeth are different due to body chemistry, genetics, dental health, and mineral imbalances. Tetracycline stains cannot be removed and dark gray shaded teeth will only brighten vs. whiten regardless of what kind of whitening treatment you try. Overall, 99% of our clients experience success.
Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?
No prep is needed for this procedure. Feel free to bring some head phones to relax with your music or listen to an audio book while having your teeth whitening done. I have a speaker playing music in the studio.