Teeth Whitening, Tooth Whitening, tooth-whitening, BrilliantSmiles

Q: How does tooth whitening work?
A: Tooth whitening gels contain Carbamide Peroxide which is dispensed into the custom fitted trays and worn over the teeth. Gel releases oxygen which penetrates the tooth enamel down to the dentine - lightening without harming your teeth.

Q: How long does it last?
A: Once whitened, your teeth should stay at that colour permanently. Over time your teeth may discolour through drinking, certain foods and the natural aging process, you can simply re-apply the gel to top up the procedure, you can order gel separately from BrilliantSmiles.

Q: Who can benefit from tooth whitening?
A: Almost everyone. Tooth whitening works best for people who have healthy, un-restored teeth and would like a whiter, brighter smile. Tetracycline discolorations and artificial dental work are usually not greatly responsive to dental bleaching.

Q: Is tooth whitening safe?
A: Yes, this at-home bleaching system is specially designed to be easy-to-use with detailed instructions. Years of research indicate that whitening teeth with Carbamide Peroxide is safe and effective.

Q: Are there any side effects?
A: There are no significant side effects. Some people may experience temporary tooth sensitivity during treatment and others have reported discomfort in the gums or in loose fillings. Gum irritation usually disappears within 1-3 days after beginning the procedure and always upon the discontinuation or completion of treatment.

Q: Do I brush my teeth as usual during the treatment?
A: Yes also you should brush your teeth before every treatment.

Q: Should I avoid food and drink after the treatment?
A: No, this is not necessary.

Q: Should I avoid red wine, smoking and other foods that can discolour my teeth during the treatment?
A: It's not necessary but you will get a faster and better result if you avoid everything that can discolour your teeth after you have performed the whitening.

Q: Do I need to go to the dentist to clean my teeth and/or remove plaque before I use your products?
A: You don't need to go to the dentist before using our products if you don't have any specific conditions with your teeth that you want to check before starting the treatment.

Q: Do I have to go to the dentist and check my teeth before starting the treatment?
A: As long as you have healthy teeth and gums then you don't need to see the dentist before your treatment. But if you have any doubt about the condition of your teeth and gums then we recommend that you see your dentist before your treatment.
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Q: My teeth are sensitive, what can I do?
A: If your teeth are sensitive you should wear the whitener for a shorter period. You can also brush your teeth with Sensodyne toothpaste. Sensodyne toothpaste has a high concentration of potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate soothes the nerves endings and helps eliminate tooth sensitivity.

Q: Can tooth whitening hurt my gums?
A: Tooth whitening gels have no adverse effect and often improve the health of gum tissue.

Q: Can I use your whitening system without any adverse effects on my porcelain/plastic caps/crowns/bridges?
A: Yes you can use the whitening system without any effect on your porcelain/plastic caps/crowns/bridges, but it will only work on natural teeth and does not whiten any dental work.

Q: Why are my teeth whitening unevenly?
A: If your teeth are whiter along the edges of your teeth, this is due to the enamel being thinner along the edges of your teeth. Continue to whiten your teeth and the part of the tooth where the enamel is thicker will whiten to the same shade as the edges.
If you have white round spots on your teeth, these are called calcium deposits. As you whiten your teeth these flare up. Continue to whiten your teeth until the other part of your tooth reaches the colour you desire and then discontinue. The calcium deposit will reside after a couple of weeks of not using the product.

Q: If I am pregnant or nursing, should I have this treatment?
A: There is no known hazard associated with whitening teeth while pregnant or nursing. However, consult with your physician and your dentist for more specific recommendations.

Q: How old do I have to be to use your product?
A: We recommend that you are over 18 and have healthy teeth and gums. If you are younger than 18 then you should check with your dentist before starting the treatment.

BrilliantSmiles products and how to use them - Answers

Q: What is the difference between 16% and 22% bleaching gel?
A: The exact difference is the strength of the active ingredient, Carbamide Peroxide, in the bleaching gel. The higher percentage you have the more effective is the teeth whitening process and the shorter time you need to achieve a successful result.

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Q: How much bleaching gel do I get in the package?

A: You will always get three tubes of concentrated bleaching gel containing 5ml bleaching gel each. This goes for all our packages, regardless if it's 16% or 22%, if it's full packages or refill packages. The bleaching gel will provide you with at least 30-40 treatments.

Q: How do I test my teeth and gums for sensitivity?
A: When you first use the product you should only put a small amount of gel in the tray and test it for around 30 minutes, if you do not suffer from any undue sensitivity you can use the product for longer. When you do experience sensitivity you should stop using the kit until this has gone away.

Q: How do I use the desensitising gel?
A: You only need to use this if you are suffering from sensitivity of the teeth or gums. You can use this for up to 30 minutes before or after whitening in the same trays as you use for whitening.
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Q: Why use mouldable bleaching trays?
A: Having a mouldable bleaching tray is essential to achieve proper bleaching results. Using a bleaching tray creates a custom fit so the gel can be applied directly to your teeth. Non-mouldable trays may cause inconsistent bleaching or spotting on the teeth and they are uncomfortable to wear.

Q: Are your systems the same products my dentists sells me for £400 or more?
A: Yes, Our systems use the same active ingredients, percent concentration and methodology as those used in professional dental offices. In fact many dentists sell our whitening gel to their patients. We provide you with mouldable mouthpieces and supply you with a high quality, effective whitening gel exactly like the formula used in dental offices.

Q: Why are BrilliantSmiles' products so much cheaper than the dentist?
A: BrilliantSmiles is an Internet based company and as such avoids the expensive overhead costs of high street locations and qualified dentists.

Q: Why use your system?
A: Whitening Systems found in mass retail markets do not use Carbamide Peroxide, the exact ingredient that is used in professional dental offices. Over-the-counter (OTC) trays are not mouldable to your teeth and do not hold the gel in the proper position. Many OTC whitening gels are not thick enough to stay in place and will leak out of the tray. Many OTC gels typically have less effective active ingredients or a lower concentration of active ingredients.

Q: Do you offer a money back guarantee?
A: If you are in any way unsatisfied with your purchase just return it to us within 30 days for a full refund.

Q: Can I buy just the whitening gel to use with existing bleaching trays?
A: Yes, we sell 16% Carbamide Peroxide whitening gel separately. This refill gel is the same strength that is sold in complete kits and professional dental offices. It can be used with any dental tray in the same way as your previous whitening gel.

Q: Should I place the whitening gel directly in the tray?
A: It is better to put the bleaching gel directly on your teeth using your fingers and then place the tray on your teeth. Doing this you don't use as much bleaching gel and it's easier to cover all your teeth.

Q: Can I use the kit overnight?
A: If you don't feel any discomfort or sensitivity during your treatment then you can extend the time for each treatment. It is possible to whiten your teeth during the night but be sure the tray is placed firmly on your teeth and cannot get loose.

Q: Are there any instructions on how to use your products?
A: Yes you receive a handbook with your full package containing all the information you need.

Q: How do I store the bleaching gel and how long is the shelf life of your products?
A: Our products are low-glycerin based to provide maximum shelf life and stability. You can store the bleaching gel in room temperature or refrigerated for up to 2 years after delivery.

Q: What does the BrilliantSmiles products contain?
A: Our product contain the following ingredients:

Active ingredient: 16%, 22% or 40% Carbamide Peroxide.

Other ingredients: Water, Propylene glycol, Carbomer, NaOH, Peppermint oil and Methylparaben.
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Order Questions - Answers

Q: How do I place my order?
A: You click here and follow the instructions.

Q: Why does my order fail?
A: The most common reasons why your order failed is because you entered the wrong billing information or because you didn't have enough funds in your account. The most common billing information mistakes are:
- The card number.
- The expiry date.
- The security code (not ATM code), which you can read more about on this FAQ section.
- The billing address, which must be exactly the same as the one you have registered with your credit card company.

If your order is not being place in the shopping basket the most common reason for this is that you need to reduce your security setting to allow cookies, you can do this within explorer: Tools / Internet Options / Privacy. Here you need to lower the setting and restart you browser.

If you are still having problems placing your order please send an email to support@brilliantsmiles.co.uk

Q: Can I order your products in any other way then using a credit card on your website?
A: You can only order our products on our website by paying with a credit card. card from our authorized retailer, 2CheckOut, who is specialized in receiving Internet purchases with the highest security.

Q: How do I order over the phone?
A: You can call our order number 0870 383 0145 and we will take your order.
You still have to pay with your credit card and we use a payment provider called 2CheckOut.
This is ONLY for placing orders, not support or delivery questions. For these please email us at support@brilliantsmiles.co.uk

Payment - Answers

Q: How can I pay?
A: Our authorized Internet retailer is 2Checkout.com, where you can pay with your credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, JCB and Diners). If you want to pay with American Express or Discover then you have to change the currency to USD when you reach 2CheckOut's pages. You can rest assured that all orders placed on this website are protected by industry standard encryption. You can read more about 2CheckOut on their website: http://www.2checkout.com/aboutus.htm.

Q: Can I pay for my products in another way then using my credit card on your website?
A: Today it is only possible to pay using your credit card on either our website or when placing a phone order.
We use the payment provider 2CheckOut.

Q: Is there a shipping cost?
A: The shipping cost is £3 regardless of how many products you order.

Q: Are there any other costs connected with a purchase?
A: There are no other costs except for the product and the shipping.

Q: Do I have to pay any customs fees?
A: There are no customs costs since the products are delivered within the European Union.

Q: Do you offer a money back guarantee?
A: Yes, if you are in any way unsatisfied with your purchase just return it to us within 30 days for a full refund.

Q: Can I pay with another currency?
A: You can order our products in multiple currencies.

Q: Where do I find the security code on my credit card?
A: Visa/MasterCard and Discover Users:
Flip your card over and look at the signature box. You should see either the entire 16-digit credit card number or just the last four digits followed by a special 3-digit code. This 3-digit code is your Card Security Code that you have to enter when completing our order.

American Express Credit Card Users:

Look for the 4-digit code printed on the front of your card just above and to the right of your main credit card number. This 4-digit code is your Card Security Code that you have to enter when completing our order.

Q: What is the Security Code?
A: It is an important new Internet security feature that now appears on the back of most Visa/MasterCard and Discover cards, and on the front of American Express cards. This new code is a three or four-digit number which provides a cryptographic check of the information embossed on the card. The security code helps validate that the customer placing the online order actually has the credit card in his/her possession, and that the credit/debit card account is legitimate.

Q: How does my Security Code protect me?
A: The security code is only printed on the card and it is not contained in the magnetic stripe information nor does it appear on sales receipts or billing statements - you must have the card in your possession in order to use this code. Card Security Codes are not raised, so they are not scanned into standard credit card readers. In theory, these numbers are only visible to you. When you give your Card Security Code to a merchant, you assist the merchant in verifying that the order is being placed by you, the card holder.

Q: Do I have to enter this Security Code?
A: If this code is printed on your card, YES, you must enter the code. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express now require Internet stores to obtain the security code for all cards that have a code printed on them. In order for this transaction to be accepted and processed, you must enter this code if it's printed on your card. This is done for your protection.

Q: Why has the amount been reserved on my account when the order has failed?
A: The international standard for credit card payments over the Internet are as follows:
1. The customer enters all the billing information and then clicks on a button to place the order.
2. They check that there is enough funds in the customers account and reserve the total amount for five banking days to make sure that the money can be collected. If this step is OK, then they continue with the next step and if this is not OK, then they go directly to 4. B. below.
3. The billing information that the customer registered will be compared to the information registered with the customers credit card company or bank. This is to make sure that the credit card is used by it's owner and not stolen.
4. A. Everything is OK and the order will be accepted and the money will be collected from the customers account.
4. B. Some of the above information is not correct and the order will not be accepted. If this is the case then our Internet payment partner, 2CheckOut, will not collect the money and the reservation of the funds will be released automatically after five banking days.

Q: Why has the amount been reserved on my account several times?
A: The reason why the amount have been reserved several times on your account is that the first attempted order you did was wrong and you had to place it again.

The international standard for credit card payments over the Internet are as follows:
1. The customer enters all the billing information and then clicks on a button to place the order.
2. They check that there is enough funds in the customers account and reserve the total amount for five banking days to make sure that the money can be collected. If this step is OK, then they continue with the next step and if this is not OK, then they go directly to 4. B. below.
3. The billing information that the customer registered will be compared to the information registered with the customers credit card company or bank. This is to make sure that the credit card is used by it's owner and not stolen.
4. A. Everything is OK and the order will be accepted and the money will be collected from the customers account.
4. B. Some of the above information is not correct and the order will not be accepted. If this is the case then our Internet payment partner, 2CheckOut, will not collect the money and the reservation of the funds will be released automatically after five banking days.
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Delivery - Answers

Q: How long does it take to ship?
A: An order is processed and shipped on the next working day from when your order is completed. Normal delivery time is 3 to 5 working days.

Q: How is the products shipped?
A: Your product will be shipped by normal mail directly to your mailbox. If the mailbox is not large enough to receive the package you will get a note to pick collect it from your post office.

Q: Can I follow my delivery on the Internet?
A: To keep the shipping cost to a minimum it is not possible to track your shipment by the internet.