How To Ensure Your Smile Looks Its Best On Your Wedding Day

Along with your wedding dress and venue decor, your smile is one of the most important things that require planning before your wedding day. You'll want to ensure your teeth shine as brightly as your wedding dress does, and that your smile looks at its best. But sometimes it isn’t as easy as making sure to brush your teeth extra well before the big day. We asked Dr. Andrea Gelinas of Toronto’s Gelinas Dental Studio on advice for brides who want to look their absolute best when they walk down the aisle. 

What are some things that the bride/groom can do to make their teeth whiter for the big day? "There are a lot of dental procedure options that people do before the big day—veneers, teeth straightening and realignment, cosmetic bonding and dental contouring to name a few."

Of these options, what do you recommend is the best for the bride or groom? "There isn’t one fix for everyone, it really depends on the individual. A consultation is very important so that you and your dentist are on the same page.  Another important thing to keep in mind is if you don’t like the shape or position of your teeth, it may be a longer process to fix. Usually we combine treatments for patients to help them achieve their desired results. It’s critical to start the process early so there’s ample time for treatments. Brides usually know about the long lead times for dresses, around 10 months prior to your wedding day—but want to rebuild their smiles in a few visits. Dental issues should be treated with the same timeline as getting a dress."

What are some common procedures brides and grooms do before their wedding day? "Gummy smile correction is by far the most impactful with the least downtime (two to four weeks for revisions). We can completely transform smiles by adjusting the height and contour of the gums in a matter of an hour. It’s impactful and the results are immediate. Another common procedure is a combination of aligning the teeth followed by in-office whitening. I always recommend a cleaning and in-office whitening 1-2 weeks prior to the big day for the best results.”

What are some must-have products that all brides and grooms should have in their teeth cleaning regime? "I am a big fan of tongue scraping. It’s the most overlooked aspects of oral hygiene, yet the easiest thing to do. Your tongue harbours so much bacteria and it literally takes a few seconds to clean it. Instantly better breath. No excuses there."

What are some do’s and don’ts for brides and grooms who want to freshen up their smile before the big day? "Do give yourself enough time, I can’t stress this enough. Part of your treatment may include seeing specialists and there’s nothing worse than rushing through treatment and getting subpar results. Do your homework, just like you would meet with multiple florists or photographers, do the same with your smile makeover. It’s essential to have the right professionals guiding your treatment especially if you are undergoing more involved treatment like invisalign and veneers. Do keep in mind that your smile is your biggest accessory, it shows confidence and will last for years to come. Don’t always believe what you see on Instagram—if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Additionally, It’s important to understand that your smile is a key component to creating harmony in your face. If you get any other cosmetic procedures done on your face (for example, lip injections) make sure you tell your dentist before you start treatment because it will help guide the final outcome. Everyone should be on the same page in creating the perfect look for you.”