9 Easy Tips for Getting the Perfect Okanagan Wedding Smile

June 10, 2015

Whether you live in Kelowna or you’re just getting married here, you will want to make sure that your smile looks its best in the Okanagan sunshine. Chances are, you will spend the entire day smiling wide and the photos that are taken by your photographer and guests will live on throughout your life and possibly even for centuries to come, thanks to the internet. Not to worry; our Kelowna dentists have some tips to help you get a picture perfect smile for your wedding day.

Rebel Against The White

There are hundreds of shades of white and many times you can’t tell just how yellow a white is until it is next to the real thing. This means that a white wedding dress may make your teeth look yellow by comparison. White has been the traditional colour of wedding dresses since 1840 when it was first popularized by Queen Victoria, but if you are really concerned about your teeth not looking white enough, you may want to opt for an off-white wedding dress or a trendier blush coloured gown.

Start With a Thorough Deep Clean

To get a glimmering smile, it is important to prepare early. Make sure that you get your teeth cleaned in the months before the big day and if you are revelling in a longer engagement, you may want to make regular (every 6 months) teeth cleanings a priority. When your teeth are cleaned by a certified dental hygienist, it makes things like at-home whitening more effective.

Get Those Pearlies White

Speaking of whitening, today’s at-home whitening treatments are more effective than ever. Tooth whitening strips and gels can be purchased in drugstores and typically contain a level of carbamide peroxide that is capable of penetrating pores and lifting deeper stains on your teeth. Just be aware of any redness or swelling of the gums and an increase in tooth sensitivity.

Pick a Great Toothpaste and Mouthwash

In the lead up to your wedding, brushing your teeth at least twice per day is an absolute must. You will probably want to look for a whitening toothpaste that contains fluoride for best results. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel. If you have teeth that look a little gray, it could be a sign that your enamel is thin and translucent, allowing the dentin to show through. Strengthening the tooth enamel through fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash may help.

Leave It To The Professionals

If you are on a time crunch and want that bright white, movie star smile, there’s no better option than a trip to the dentist. At our Kelowna dental clinic, we are highly trained in cosmetic dentistry and offer professional tooth whitening, veneers, same-day porcelain crowns, and full smile makeovers, including dental implants. We want to make sure that you can smile with confidence on your wedding day.

Make The Makeup Work For You

Your makeup choices can play a role in the appearance of your smile on your wedding day. In particular, some shades of lipstick will make your teeth look whiter than others. Blue-based reds are popular choices for a whiter smile, which is why pretty much every toothpaste commercial features an actress wearing red lipstick.

Don’t Drink The Dark Stuff

All the whitening in the world isn’t going to do much if you are indulging in black coffee, red wine, soda, and other stain-causing food and drinks. If you can, avoid it altogether. If you must sip that red wine, you may want to check out our tips to keep that Okanagan wine from staining your pearly whites.

Take a Smile Break

When it comes time for the professional portraits, don’t be afraid to ask your photographer if you can take a mini-break. Smiling for a dozen photos straight inevitably leads to that pained look that we shall dub the “melting smile”. Just ask your photographer to tell you when they are ready to take a photo so that you aren’t grinning away while they are actually just adjusting their settings.

Above all else, remember to relax and enjoy the day. A genuine smile or laugh is the most important part of getting a great smile on your wedding day. Besides, you’re getting married in the Okanagan - what’s not to smile about?!