Are
you imagining gleaming snowy-white teeth? Everyone thinks of going to the
dentist to have their teeth whitened in pursuit of the perfect wedding smile. Dental lasers, whitening strips, whitening
gels, whitening toothpastes... there is no dearth of wonderful products for
whitening your teeth. Whether or not you decide to whiten, there are other
factors that contribute to the Perfect Wedding Smile. Here are the other
essentials:
Plan
in advance! Pay attention to the shape of your teeth. Are they chipped? Do they
have crooked edges? Do you have several fillings of varying shades and tone? Consider
dental fillings to re-shape your teeth and achieve smooth defined edges and a
uniform colour. Are there gaps between your teeth? Braces can help align your
teeth and give you an attractive smile.
Eat fibrous foods and drink a lot of water. Fiber loosens debris and dislodges stains. Water cleans and hydrates, making your teeth look whiter and preventing bad breath. Before the wedding, limit your intake of coffee, tea and colas to reduce stains on your teeth.
Ask your dentist for a professional dental cleaning a week or two before the big day. Have calculus and stains removed and your teeth will look cleaner, brighter and whiter!
Frame your smile. Your lips are as much a part of your smile as your teeth. Moisturize your lips regularly; cracked or chapped lips are not attractive. Do you use lipstick? Contrast is the key. Dark lipsticks make white teeth look whiter. Yellow undertones in lipsticks make teeth look yellow. Use bright lipsticks that compliment your skin tone. And remember, a single lipstick stain on your teeth will bring the glam quotient down to zero!
The Art of Smiling. There are many people who just do not know how to smile. The most common reason I encounter in my clinic is a lack of self-confidence and a conviction that one’s teeth look ugly. A self-conscious hesitant smile is just not as appealing as a confident happy smile. You can whiten, straighten and veneer teeth but you need to showcase them properly! Look into the mirror and smile. Smile with your teeth and practice various degrees of lip parting.
Remember, if you decide to whiten your teeth opt for a natural shade of white. A naturally white smile is one which usually is no whiter than the whites of your eyes. Avoid a “painted white” effect.
Groom your teeth...and smile like a bride!
