Wedding engagements bring plenty of excitement and planning. Everyone wants to look their best for the big day. From wedding gowns to food and flowers, each detail is thoughtfully selected. You’ve thought about something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue — and what about something….white?
With so much planning and anticipation, you’ll be smiling big on your big day. How can you ensure you have the gleaming smile of your dreams? The team at Ranieu Family Dental is ready to help you! Add “meet with your dental team” to your wedding checklist and read our tips below on how to prepare your smile for your big day.
Start Planning Your Smile Makeover Early
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Americans to postpone weddings. Now that vaccines are rolling out and large gathering restrictions are loosening, people feel more comfortable hosting celebratory events. You’ll want this highly anticipated event to be picture perfect, so it’s best to begin planning early. Your treatment timeline will depend on your smile goals and current smile needs. Let our team evaluate the best plan forward for you and in plenty of time for your wedding.
To make planning easier for you, here’s an easy checklist for you to add to your wedding planning folder.
Smile Checklist for Your Wedding Day
First things first. Schedule a dental consultation.
Whether you’re a new patient or established patient, scheduling a consultation to discuss your smile goals for your wedding should be the first step in your planning process. Add this to your list of wedding to-do’s and schedule your consultation as soon as you can so you have plenty of time for any smile treatments you want without feeling rushed or stressed. Ranieu Family Dental recommends scheduling your dental consultation shortly after your engagement so you can have the smile of your dreams for your wedding day.
If you decide on any cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening or Invisalign® clear aligners, you’ll need to plan accordingly so you can see results in time for your wedding day. There’s plenty to worry about when planning a wedding. Your smile shouldn’t be one of them. The Ranieu Team is here to help you smile with ease.
During your consultation we’ll evaluate your current oral health and discuss your smile goals. Then we’ll determine the best plan of action to help you achieve these goals.
Get a professional teeth cleaning and exam.
Everyone loves the clean feeling of freshly polished teeth. Not only does a professional teeth cleaning by one of our registered dental hygienists leave you feeling great, it can remove built up tartar and stains that can darken your smile. Think of this like an instant smile makeover! It’s also an opportunity for our team to provide a thorough oral evaluation to assess the condition of your teeth, gums, and mouth to determine if any treatment is needed to restore your mouth to optimal health.
If you’re interested in any cosmetic treatments, such as tooth whitening, an oral evaluation is a must, because whitening your teeth with underlying oral disease can actually cause more harm. Think of it like painting a wall. If the wall is in good shape, it will look great. But if the sheetrock is breaking and there’s too much damage, painting it won’t do any good. You’ll want to address any underlying problems and restore your smile to health so you can have the best results and a truly healthy smile. This is why it’s important to assess your total oral health as the first step in any treatment plan.
Our registered dental hygienists will also review a home dental care plan so you can maintain optimal oral health between your professional cleanings.
Brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening is a popular treatment for brides (and grooms, mother of the bride, bridesmaids…) We do offer in-office whitening that will give you a gleaming smile in one appointment, but don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Professional In-Office Zoom! Whitening System provides the quickest and most dramatic results because of the high concentration of professional whitening solution, which may leave your teeth sensitive because of the concentrated formula. In-Office Zoom Whitening Treatments are recommended two weeks prior to your wedding day. Pre-festivities of your big day often require flashing those pearly whites. With Professional Zoom Whitening, rest assured that sensitivity subsides within 24 hours of your treatment. Zoom Whitening makes your wedding day carefree! You can even use our customized whitening trays to maintain your white smile after you’ve completed your Zoom Treatment.
If you prefer an at-home whitening solution, our dentist-supervised whitening is a great option. Dentist-supervised whitening means you get the highest quality product with expert application instead of a one size fits all over-the-counter product. Your dentist will create a whitening tray that fits your teeth perfectly so you can get great results while watching your favorite show or reading a book. You’ll get a custom whitening solution to use in your trays in the comfort of your own home. Your dentist will discuss the proper use and length of time to use the trays. We recommend beginning at-home whitening one month prior to your special occasion. And you can keep your wedding smile bright for life with our whitening for life program!
You can maintain your white smile by practicing good oral health habits at home. Your dental hygienist will review your home dental care plan during your professional teeth cleaning. Here are a few tips to keep your newly white smile in top shape.
- Minimize staining liquids such as coffee, tea, red wine or soda.
- If you do have any of these beverages, drink water between sips and brush your teeth with a whitening toothpaste afterward.
- Eliminating any tobacco will help your teeth stay white, plus it’s beneficial to your overall health.
Straighten your smile with Invisalign® clear aligners.
If you want a straighter smile for your big day, Invisalign® clear aligners can give you an extra boost of confidence so you feel radiant for your wedding. Invisalign® trays are custom made to fit your mouth and are virtually invisible, removable, and comfortable. They use gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth into the desired position. You’ll wear your clear aligners for at least 22 hours every day during treatment, and get a new set every couple of weeks as your smile transformation progresses.
Your dentist will create a unique treatment plan for you that maps out the exact movements of your teeth. The Invisalign® system uses an advanced technology which makes for shorter visits (more time spent trying on dresses, tasting cakes, and planning your big day) with a more accurate and predictable treatment outcome (a great smile and no wires or brackets!) We’ll also show you a simulation of what your smile could look like once you complete treatment.
Treatment times can vary depending on the amount of tooth movement required. Typically treatments for adults range between 12 to 18 months on average, though you could start seeing results in just a few weeks. We recommend you schedule a dental consultation in Vancouver, WA to discuss your Invisalign® clear aligner treatment shortly after your engagement to allow for plenty of time for your smile transformation.
Visit Your Ranieu Family Dental Team
Before you walk down the aisle be sure to visit your dentist in Vancouver, WA for a dental checkup. The team at Ranieu Family Dental is ready to help you with your smile goals. Contact our office to schedule your dental consultation. We offer extended hours and Saturday appointments for your convenience. We’re excited to help you feel extra confident on your big day!