7 Things You Can Do For Perfect Teeth By Your Wedding Day!
Many brides-to-be feel concerned about how their teeth will photograph on their wedding day. Chipped, cracked, discoloured, and stained teeth are some of the most common issues dentists deal with prior to someone’s wedding.
From dental procedures to self-care steps, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare a near-perfect smile on your wedding day.
Here are 7 things dentists wish they could tell you as soon as you start wedding prep!
1. Consult a Dentist
If you can, visit a dentist 12-18 months out to investigate your options. Dental veneers can take two to three months, and orthodontic treatments- like straightening and realignment- can take up to a year. Even if you don’t have that much time before the big day, get in touch with a dentist and see what your options are.
2. Book a Scale and Clean
A professional check-up and clean is essential before any treatment, especially for teeth whitening, to ensure it’s as effective as possible. An appointment like this is also an opportunity for you to find out what needs to have done professionally and what you can do for your oral hygiene at home.
3. Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the fastest and most worthwhile ways to improve your smile without undergoing any other significant dental treatment. It’s best to complete the whitening process at least two weeks before the big day. This gives your teeth time to rehydrate and settle into their natural, final shade. At Superior Smiles, we offer Zoom tooth whitening treatments in-chair or as a customised DIY at-home kit that is Australian Dental Association approved.
4. Foods and Drinks- the Good and the Bad!
Raw fruits and vegetables are high in fibre- a natural abrasive that can help clean your teeth (think apples or celery). In the lead up to your big day, try to avoid dark and sticky foods and drinks (such as red wine, caramels, BBQ sauce, or balsamic vinegar). This is particularly important if you’ve had your teeth professionally whitened. Avoid coloured food and beverages as much as possible!
5. Be Mindful of Mouthwash
The alcohol in mouthwash dries out some dental work. It can weaken the overall tooth structure too, so it’s best to rinse with an alcohol-free, natural formula. A colourless mouthwash is best to keep teeth pearly white.
6. Sly Sipping
Ever wondered why some people drink coffee on-the-go with a straw? Using a straw avoids direct contact with teeth, helping to prevent staining! Add a reusable straw to your arsenal for the next few months. Giving up hot tea or coffee would be too much to ask!
7. Maintaining Oral Health at Home
Treat your teeth well in the months leading up to your wedding. Perhaps leave a note on your bathroom mirror as a reminder to brush and floss during this busy time.
We’ve put together a suggested timeline of dental treatments for you to consider and the best time to schedule them in! Wherever you’re at in your wedding planning journey, here’s what we recommend:
When to plan what:
12- 18 months – Orthodontics
The time needed for straightening solutions depends on your individual needs. Treatment for adults usually takes between 6 and 18 months. At Superior Smiles we offer Invisalign clear aligners. This increasingly popular treatment can completely transform your smile. Invisalign aligners are custom made for your bite. It uses gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth into a better position.
Invisalign aligners are removable, discreet and comfortable, so even if you are still undergoing treatment on your wedding day, you can remove them for a couple of hours while you have photos taken or enjoy champagne with cake!
Invisalign aligners are best for treating mildly to moderately gapped, misaligned, rotated, and crowded teeth.
2-3 months – Cosmetic
Dental veneers are a common cosmetic dental treatment that enhance your smile dramatically. Porcelain veneers are thin shells made from porcelain placed on the front of a tooth to improve its appearance. They are custom made and coloured to perfectly match your other teeth.
Veneers are a great option if your concerns are chipped, cracked or broken teeth, stains or discolouration, oddly shaped teeth, or gaps or crooked teeth.
1 month – Cosmetic
While porcelain veneers are permanent, composite veneers are a type of non-prep veneer that can be reversed. Tooth coloured composite resin, the same material used for fillings, is applied to the edges of the teeth to create a more desirable shape and size or to close gaps.
Composite bonding is the perfect cosmetic dental treatment for patients with a smaller budget, or if a more temporary veneer option is desired.
1 month – 2 weeks – Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the fastest and most worthwhile ways to improve your smile. It’s best to complete your teeth whitening treatment at least two weeks before your special occasion, so your teeth have the chance to rehydrate and settle into their final, more natural shade. That means booking an appointment at least two weeks out for in-chair treatment or starting your at-home whitening treatment at least one month before your big day.
Helping our patients’ confidence grow by providing effective dental solutions is a joyful part of our work at Superior Smiles. Contact us about all your smile related questions and concerns! We will be happy to give you information and professional advice.