Was there a wedding engagement in your
family over the holidays? Perhaps you are the bride or groom, a member of the
wedding party, or a family member of the newly engaged? You’ll want to look
your best for the wedding season and events! In addition to planning the timeline for finding the perfect dress, photographer and cake, and your smile should be a
priority. Having a great smile will ensure you are confident when mingling with
your guests and that you will look stunning in the wedding photos.
PLAN AHEAD
As with virtually all the steps to planning a wedding, achieving a great smile
by the wedding day takes time and advanced consideration. Breaking the process
up into steps can help make it manageable and easily allow you to add it into
your overall wedding checklist.
Consider what your goals
are. Do you have a problem you'd like to fix, such as crooked teeth? Would you
like your teeth straightened or whitened or both? Knowing what you need to do
will ensure you easily fit everything in the plan.
as
soon as possible
SCHEDULE A SMILE CONSULTATION
Before creating a plan,
it's crucial to talk to an orthodontist. Experienced orthodontists
know how long each process takes before it delivers results, and they can work
with you to cater to your wedding timeline. So, the best way to meet your smile
goal by the big day is to start as early as possible. Most orthodontists offer
complimentary consultations where one can learn the options for treatment and
the costs without obligation. These professionals are experts at getting you to
your goal in the manner that works best for your lifestyle. Don’t want to have
to think about it? Maybe clear braces are the way to go so you can go about
your life and have the braces do the straightening work for you. Or, if you
want flexibility, maybe clear aligners are best for you since you can
temporarily remove them for an event.
get
a dental cleaning
Good oral health is
important every day, but making sure you receive regular cleanings and checkups
will ensure that you won’t have any dental emergencies pop up close to your big
day. Call your general dentist to get scheduled for a cleaning and check up as
early in the process as possible.
NINE
TO TWELVE MONTHS PRIOR
GET
STARTED WITH ALIGNERS OR BRACES
With diligent attention to wearing your aligners, you should
have good movement as early as 6 months into treatment, so even if your wedding
day is sooner than one year away, you could still improve your smile before the
big event.
If you choose to straighten with braces, your orthodontist
will likely be willing to be flexible with your timeline and do as much
straightening as possible before the wedding then finish up treatment once the
wedding has taken place, if needed. Talk to them about your hopes and dreams
for your smile right upfront so they can guide you to the best treatment plan
for you and your timeline.
TWO TO THREE MONTHS PRIOR
Select
your teeth whitening method
Professional teeth
whitening methods come in two major forms, either in-office, high strength
whitening or take-home, lower strength, more gradual whitening. What’s the
difference? In-office whitening products are generally a high percentage of
whitening agent, typically about 35% hydrogen peroxide. Professional take-home
whitening agents are typically less than half that percentage, generally around
14% hydrogen peroxide.
The higher concentrate
in-office whitening solutions can cause some people sensitivity, so plenty of
time should be given ahead of the wedding to ensure there won’t be any
discomfort on the big day. Scheduling two to three weeks prior to the wedding
is ideal. Schedule at the three month prior
mark to ensure you get an appointment that fits your schedule.
Alternatively, the custom
take-home whitening allows for gradual, self-paced whitening done at the
patient’s convenience in their own home. The take-home option takes more time
because the concentration of the whitening agent is lower, so starting this
method of whitening two to three months prior to the wedding is best.
plan
your teeth straightening completion appointment
Call your orthodontist
office to schedule an appointment for about one week prior to your wedding to
have your braces or aligner attachments removed. Scheduling this appointment at
the three month prior mark will allow you to get the maximum effectiveness out
of your straightening while still allowing you to get the appointment day and
time that will work best for those busy days you will have just prior to your
wedding. This would also be a great time to schedule your second dental
cleaning appointment with your general dentist for a date a week or two out
from your wedding.
TWO TO THREE weeks PRIOR
In-office
whitening
If you have chosen the
one-time in-office whitening method, doing the procedure two to three weeks
ahead of the wedding will help to make sure you won’t have any discomfort the
day of the event.
practice
healthy eating
Consume enough water to make sure your lips and skin are
well-hydrated. The experts
suggest 11.5 cups for females and 15.5 cups for males. Cut down or
cut out cigarettes and/or alcohol to allow your teeth and skin to have their
most healthy glow.
DON'T FORGET about that CLEANING
Regular teeth cleaning
should be a component of your oral health routine. It helps to schedule a
session close to the wedding day. That way, professionals can remove any plaque
and other stains for the big occasion. And cleaning the teeth only a couple of
days before the event means they'll remain bright for the wedding.
TWO TO THREE DAYS PRIOR
You’ve planned ahead, and
the big day has come. Now you’re ready for the last minute prep for the wedding
day:
- Pack your smile care items in your
wedding day kit.
You’ll want to pack a pocket mirror to check for lipstick stains that could
ruin the photos. Speaking of lipstick, choose a shade that makes your
teeth look whiter. See our blog on choosing a lipstick shade here.
And don’t forget to toss in a tiny floss pick and some sugarless gum to
give your breath a boost if you need it.
- Don't eat foods that cause bad
breath.
For several days before the event, cut down on foods that are known to
cause bad breath, Steer clear of horseradish, onions, and garlic which could
also get stuck between your teeth.
- Drink plenty of water, get plenty
of sleep.
The big event will be filled with excitement and a lot of socializing.
Make sure you are well hydrated and rested so you can enjoy your day to
the fullest.
Whether you are the bride, the groom, the family or the guest,
your smile can be its best by adding it to your wedding timeline and planning.
The pictures captured that day will last a lifetime and so will the results of
your new smile, with just a little bit of on-going care.
POST CONTRIBUTOR:
Erin Eevs TOLLGATE
ORTHODONTICS
Erin Eves is a mom of two who has been
married for 26 years. She is Vice-President and General Manager of Tollgate Orthodontics in Rhode Island.
Tollgate Orthodontics is led by a board certified orthodontist Daniel Eves who provides expert
guidance and care for smiles at offices located in Warwick and Jamestown. The
office has an experienced, multilingual team who are regularly mentioned in
online reviews for their caring treatment of patients. Tollgate Orthodontics
offers evening appointments, convenient no-finance-charge payment plans, and
accepts most insurances. When he is not working on creating beautiful smiles
for weddings and just everyday life, Dr. Eves can be found running, hiking,
fly fishing or reading non-fiction.
Tollgate Orthodontics: 401-739-3900