Brighten Your Smile: Pre-Wedding Teeth Whitening Guide

Most brides meticulously plan their weddings down to the finest details. Whether it’s the dress, décor, cake, or cuisine, everything is chosen with great care to create flawless celebrations that reflect unique tastes. These days, timely teeth whitening treatments are also becoming an increasingly popular part of the preparation process. If you’d like to brighten your smile before your big day, here’s what you should know.

Professional vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening: Which is Best?

At-Home Teeth Whitening: 

Countless companies market all sorts of over-the-counter products that make big claims about their whitening capabilities. Most of these use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach stains that can accumulate on the outer layer of a tooth’s enamel.

According to Consumer Reports, these products can do a decent job of lightening stains caused by cigarette smoking or heavily pigmented foods. However, over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments are not as effective as professional whitening treatments.

Professional Teeth Whitening

If you get a professional whitening treatment at a dentist’s office, they can create custom trays made to fit your teeth, which will provide more uniform results as well as protection for your gums. Professional whitening gels contain carbamide peroxide and are stronger than at-home bleaching agents. During a whitening procedure, the trays are worn for varying amounts of time depending on a number of factors, including the strength of the whitening agent and the severity of the stains.

Some dentists also offer laser whitening treatments that take about 30 minutes. During these treatments, a gel is applied to the teeth and then activated by a laser. The dentist then leaves the solution on for a few extra minutes before removing it. He or she may offer to repeat the process until you are satisfied with the results.

Timing is Everything: When to Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Treatment

Whatever whitening treatment you choose, it’s best to plan ahead, so your teeth will be whitest on your wedding day. If you choose over-the-counter lightening gels, strips, or gel-filled trays, you will typically need up to 14 days to see any results. You may want to start much earlier, however, in case you don’t get the results you hoped for.

While some professional whitening treatments can be administered in one session, it’s important to make arrangements with your dentist, so you can be sure you are able to get in for an appointment. Generally, it’s best to wait until a couple of weeks before your wedding, so you can be sure your teeth will be at their whitest. If you must get your treatment early on, be sure to avoid heavily pigmented foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, cola, and red wine since research has shown that these can all stain teeth after whitening treatments.

If you cannot completely avoid stain-causing beverages, you can curb their discoloring effects by drinking through a straw.

Our helpful dental staff can help you determine which teeth whitening treatment is right for you.

Tips on Maintaining Your White Smile Post-Wedding

To make teeth whitening treatments last as long as possible, practice a good oral hygiene routine by brushing twice daily with whitening toothpaste, flossing regularly, and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash to prevent staining and plaque buildup. Continue to avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain teeth, or simply rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce their impact. Avoid smoking or tobacco products, as they can cause significant discoloration. Regular dental cleanings and occasional touch-up whitening treatments, as recommended by your dentist, will also help maintain your results.

Schedule Your Pre-Wedding Dental Consultation Today

Treat yourself to a professional whitening treatment to prepare for your big day! Schedule a teeth whitening appointment at Gentle Dental, and let us make your teeth sparkle just as much as you will on your wedding day.