10 Tips for Achieving Perfect Teeth by Your Wedding Day

Ensure your pearly whites look their absolute best with these expert suggestions.

bride smiling for her bridal portrait holding a bouquet of flowers

Photo by Claire Morris Photography

Considering how many times your photographer, family, and friends will be shouting "smile" on your wedding day, it's only natural to want to ensure that those pearly whites look their absolute best. "Brides most commonly are concerned with how their teeth will photograph on their wedding day," says Michael Apa, D.D.S. of Apa Aesthetic. "Chipped, cracked, discolored, and stained teeth are some of the most common issues we deal with prior to a bride's wedding."

Thankfully, there are plenty of things you can do throughout your engagement—specifically as it relates to teeth whitening for your wedding—that'll ensure a near-perfect smile ahead of the big day. Whether you need a few months of at-home TLC or a complete professional overhaul, here are ten things a dentist wants you to know the minute you get engaged.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Michael Apa, D.D.S. is the owner and founder of Apa Aesthetic, a modern dentistry practice with offices in New York, Dubai, Los Angeles, and soon-to-be Miami. In 2014, he also launched Apa Beauty, a line of luxury oral care cosmetics, perfect for brides looking to maintain their at-home, oral health prior to saying "I do."

Go for a Consultation

First things first: Get yourself into the dentist's chair. Depending on what you want to achieve (whether that's veneers, teeth alignment, or teeth whitening for your wedding), it's important to get the process started early, so you're not scrambling right before your special day.

"Sit for a consult with a cosmetic dentist at least six months before the big day," shares Dr. Apa. "At my practice, we’ve made miracles happen with only a week to spare, but ideally you would see someone six months out to allow for a comprehensive treatment plan and proper healing."

Get a Professional Cleaning

According to Dr. Apa, a professional cleaning is absolutely needed to achieve the ultimate smile. "I recommend having a professional cleaning and in-house whitening treatment done back-to-back to achieve maximum whiteness. The cleaning will remove any plaque and tartar so that the bleach can more effectively get to work," he shares. "Remember, for 48 hours after bleaching, teeth are especially porous and can easily re-stain, so avoid food and drink that’s rich in pigment, like red wine or turmeric."

Start the Whitening Process Early

Don't leave whitening until the last minute! That's because the process generally takes at least one to two weeks, depending on your desired results, so it's important not to cram it in before heading down the aisle.

"Teeth whitening is a quick, simple solution for a more appealing smile, and it can be done both in-office and at home," notes Dr. Apa. "In-office is typically stronger, using 35 percent hydrogen peroxide, whereas at home it’s closer to 10 percent. I recommend a combo: start with in-office treatment to jump-start results and then maintain at home."

bride smiling with her bridesmaids while wearing wedding robes

Photo by Rossini Photography

Maintain Your Oral Health at Home

There's a lot to think about in the months leading up to your wedding, but treating your teeth the right way should be a priority. "It is important to brush twice a day for at least two minutes at a time, and floss once a day," shares Dr. Apa. "Using a sonic toothbrush is a must. The vibration allows for a deeper clean and gets between the tooth and gumline in a way that a regular toothbrush cannot. Also, pay attention to the angulation of the brush—it should be right along the gumline."

Protect Against Stress

"Stress is a trigger for clenching and grinding, behaviors that can cause swollen gums, tooth loss, and everything in between," says Dr. Apa. "The simplest solution is sleeping in a night guard. We typically recommend a hard nightguard that patients can’t squeeze into because it de-triggers the muscle and decreases tension in the joint. If that is not effective, we send patients to TMD specialists that do things like trigger point injections to figure out exactly which muscle is causing the pain and/or if there is displacement in the joint. Then they can create a custom guard that deals with the specific issue."

Read the Fine Print

While it can be easy to simply select any random toothpaste or mouthwash to use on a daily basis, Dr. Apa heavily urges against that. He specifically notes, "Ingredients matter. Most conventional kinds of toothpaste have fluoride or hydroxyapatite, which work to re-mineralize the tooth after exposure to acidic or abrasive foods. If you have sensitive teeth, calcium hydroxide is important, too. Look for a formula with a low RDA (Relative Dentin Abrasion) value."

Book a Smile Makeover

Looking to find a long-term solution to any teeth insecurities you might have? Consider getting veneers, which have become an extremely popular procedure over the last several years.

"Veneers are the ultimate solution to achieving your best smile and the benefits are not just cosmetic," shares Dr. Apa. "When done correctly, veneers fight aging, improve function and, of course, enhance overall appearance. For someone with tooth insecurity, a smile makeover is a deeply powerful thing. It sounds dramatic, but I’ve seen first-hand just how transformative a smile makeover really is."

a bride posing for her portrait wearing a lace wedding dress with tulle flutter sleeves, while holding a wedding flower bouquet

Photo by Mallory Dawn

Consume Consciously

What you consume on a day-to-day basis has a huge impact on the way your teeth look. Thus, be aware of what you eat and drink if you're hoping for a radiant smile ahead of the big day. "Social habits impact your smile," shares Dr. Apa. "Stay hydrated, [and] use a straw to consume pigmented beverages and a fork and knife for pigmented foods. Avoid smoking and letting things sit on your teeth for long periods of time. It’s the little, mindless behaviors that make a long-term difference."

Update Your Records

Did you know that keeping up with your dental records is just as important as updating your medical records? "X-rays should be taken at least once a year and be reviewed by a dentist," shares Dr. Apa. He particularly notes that "white teeth can give a false sense of 'tooth health,'" so seeing a dentist to account for any potential non-visible issues is of the utmost importance. Beauty starts from within, and that's especially true when it comes to your teeth and overall health.

Consider Quick Fixes

Even if you don't go for a major overhaul, there are certain things you can do on the day of to make your teeth look close to perfect, says Dr. Apa. Specifically, he shares, "For a quick fix, wear bright lipstick, keep your lips moist with a good balm, or use Apa Blue Lip Shine. The peppermint-infused blue crystals naturally reflect light and create the appearance of whiter teeth."

As for what to avoid, stay away from gold jewelry, which tends to bring out yellowish tones, and magenta lipstick, which can make teeth look yellow. What's more, if you have any minor defect in your smile (such as a stain or crack), wipe a small dab of petroleum jelly over it, which will help diffuse the aberration in your photos (Dr. Apa also offers a tooth gloss for this purpose).

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