How To Get White Teeth For Your Wedding

Smiling for the camera, smirks with your bridesmaids, elegant smiles to your guests, secret grins to your groom… we all want dazzling, white teeth for our wedding day! The great news is that it can be easy and affordable to give your smile that extra polish before your big day!

As a dental professional, I get asked questions about whitening all the time. Is it safe? Can I use over the counter product? The answer to both of those is yes!

Whitening products that are ADA approved (there’s always a little symbol on the box if it is) are safe to use as indicated on the box. Of course, use it only as directed! They are also easy on the budget. For between $50-$80, you can get a box of good quality whitestrips to try out.

It’s always a great idea to try out your whitening treatment about a month or so before the wedding. The results will still be around by the big day, but it will be one less thing to worry about when the craziness of the actual day comes around! You should also avoid coffee, tea, and other dark food and drink as much as possible during the whitening period. If your last minute wedding planning was as busy as mine, you’ll want that coffee!

My favorite over the counter whitening product is Crest Whitestrips. There are different versions of them, but in reality, most whitening treatments have the same active ingredient. I like Crest because they have some scientific research to back them up. They’ve also been around for awhile and know what’s going on in the world of whitening.

 

No, I’m not getting paid to advertise Crest. :) Their product is just great.

I hope this helps you create your best smile for those wedding pictures! Do you have any questions about whitening? Ask in the comments below!

*hugs*

Amber

For those of you that are science nerds like I am, read on! Here are some neat things to know about whitening your teeth. I just couldn’t resist!

What causes teeth to stain?

Drinking dark beverages, smoking, trauma that causes the tooth to “die” inside, developmental issues like a high fever when you were a baby or tetracylcine medication when the teeth were forming, and dark foods are all common causes. Our teeth also get darker as we age, primarily because the enamel (the outside layer) of the teeth becomes thinner. As the enamel thins, the darker second layer of the tooth (the dentin) is more visible.

How can a whitening treatment fix this?

Essentially, the whitening product alters the light absorbing or reflecting nature of your teeth, resulting in an increased perception of whiteness. This means that it changes how light reflects off your teeth to make them appear whiter to the human eye.

Over time, your teeth can absorb staining compounds into the internal structure of your teeth. These compounds have double bonds, which absorb light. So just like any other dark color that absorbs light, the absorption of light makes your teeth look darker.

Almost all whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)travels through the little tubes of your teeth into the internal structure. There it breaks apart to create water (H2O) and a free radical. This free radical breaks the double bond that absorbs the light. Once the double bonds are broken, your teeth reflect more light and appear to be whiter.

How long does it last?

Because everyone’s teeth are so different, there isn’t a magical number. Once you’ve done the initial whitening, you can usually keep good results with regular maintenance. Most people need to touch up every 1-2 years. This means getting another box of Crest Whitestrips or getting a single syringe of gel from your dentist to use with your custom whitening trays.

So what are my options?

There are two main ways to whiten your teeth.

First, you can use an over-the-counter (OTC) whitening product. The most common of these is Crest Whitestrips. OTC whitening products are a good option if you aren’t ready to invest much money into whitening but want to give it a try. Most OTC options are safe, but I’d highly recommend using one from a reputable company. I recommend Crest Whitestrips because they do have some scientific studies to back them up.

Over the counter whitening agents are not effective on everyone. Some people’s teeth are much more difficult to whiten than others. And people, follow the directions. If you use whitening incorrectly, it can be harmful. The most common issues with OTC options are sensitive teeth and hurting gums.

The second option is getting a professional whitening treatment from your dentist. Options for professional whitening include customized trays that you wear at home for a couple of weeks or an in-office treatment that is completed in a couple of hours. Either one is a great option.

There are a lot of benefits to professional whitening when compared to over the counter whitening treatments. Professional treatments use a stronger percentage of hydrogen peroxide (or carbamide peroxide). This usually gives better results. A dental professional can also do things to decrease sensitivity during the whitening process, as well as protect the gums from burning. You also have the benefit of professional knowledge to help get the best results possible. The only downside? The good stuff is usually quite a bit more expensive than OTC options.

What about all these easy remedies I see on Pinterest?

Be careful with Pinterest! While most things used in careful moderation won’t be too damaging to your teeth, some things can cause irreversible damage! For instance, bleach. Just don’t do it. Some things can be abrasive and put little scratches in your teeth. Stain will collect in these grooves and make you worse off than when you started. Some things can also be damaging to your gums. Be cautious.

Where should I go from here?

You can always give Crest Whitestrips a try. It’s a small investment to see if they work well for you. If you don’t get the results you were hoping for, or if your teeth are just too sensitive to get through the whole box, talk to your dentist about professional options.

Do you have any questions about teeth whitening? Ask in the comments below! :)

*hugs*

Amber