Planning Ahead: When to Whiten Your Teeth Before Your Special Event

Your wedding is quickly approaching. With only a few months left before the big day, you envision yourself looking radiant from head to toe. With your dress ready to wear and your hair and makeup already planned out, you may wonder if there is anything you can do about your dull smile. Ensuring your pearly whites look their best is essential, but how far in advance should you receive teeth whitening treatment to ensure optimal results on the big day? Keep reading to find out.

When Is It Best to Whiten Teeth?

There are a few factors you must consider when it comes to whitening your teeth in time for your big day.

First, you’ll want to decide how you want to remove your tooth stains. Do you prefer in-office or take-home whitening? When meeting with your cosmetic dentist, you’ll need to discuss your options, and which one works best with your schedule and remaining needs.

Second, your dentist will need to survey the severity of your stains. This is why it is best to schedule a consultation a month or more in advance. Should your discoloration be severe, this will be factored into your overall treatment plan to ensure you achieve your desired results.

Once a plan is made, you can expect to begin the process based on a timeline that you and your dentist decide on. If you prefer in-office teeth whitening, results can be seen in as little as one hour; however, this does not mean that you’ll want to have your teeth brightened the day of or the day before your wedding. Instead, get in to see your dentist a few weeks beforehand so that your teeth look and feel their best on your special day.

If you opt for take-home whitening kits that are provided by your dentist, you’ll need at least two weeks to see noticeable results. Again, you’ll want to start the process early enough that should you need any assistance along the way, there is time to allow without causing a delay.

How to Keep Results Long-Lasting?

Should you only have time to see your dentist for teeth whitening months in advance, you’ll need to make sure that you adopt certain habits that do not cause stains to form over time.

You’ll need to:

• Limit or avoid darkly colored drinks and foods to prevent additional staining. If necessary, you can use a straw to consume certain beverages, but you run the risk of causing your teeth to appear discolored.
• Quit smoking, as nicotine is one of the most common reasons for tooth stains.
• Practice good oral hygiene at home so that decay, cavities, and surface stains do not develop.

Getting ready for your big day is exciting. Remember to treat your smile with the most lavish care when undergoing teeth whitening treatment. Doing so will have you looking your best and eager to show off your smile at your special event.

About the Author
Dr. Chitra Naik has more than 25 years of experience helping the residents of Flint, MI, and its surrounding communities achieve healthier smiles. She and her team offer cosmetic dental treatments that are designed to enhance appearances for any occasion. If you have a big event coming up and need help to brighten your smile, contact us at (810) 235-5422 to inquire about teeth whitening.