If you ever find yourself in the enviable position of planning for a wedding then a trip to the dentists may not to be on your checklist of things to do to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch. The list is endless enough as it is with the venue, the guests, the reception, and all the potential tiny disasters that go with them. However, whilst it might not be the first thing you think of when planning a wedding, a wedding magazine recently made it known that nearly a quarter of brides to be are including a trip to the dentists on their checklist of things to do before the big day.
The reason for this is teeth whitening, which is a form of cosmetic dentistry that improves the colour and “whiteness” of teeth through a bleaching process. It is natural that brides to be want to look their best for their wedding and, alongside other goals such as losing weight and gaining a more tanned appearance, whiter teeth are becoming more and more of a factor.
Certain toothpastes rarely help with a immediate effect and it is widely accepted that drinking a lot of tea and coffee, and also smoking, will continually cause some discolouration of the teeth. Furthermore, it is accepted that aside from a scale and polish from a dental hygienist, the teeth will not have a noticeable whiteness unless you opt for professional dental teeth whitening.
The now common process of tooth whitening removes stains and discolouration through bleaching, consequently showing a large enhancement in the appearance of teeth. It has become increasingly popular as brides and the public have become more aware of the possibilities this treatment may provide. Some of the positive aspects of this non-invasive treatment include: when the procedure is carried out properly by professionals, it is straightforward. It will not cause any damage to the teeth or gums and is – happily for anyone considering teeth whitening who would not usually be especially fond of a trip to the dentists – virtually painless aside from a little sensitivity in the hours after the treatment.
There are a number of ways in which teeth can be whitened. Some dentists use lasers, which are generally quicker, but more common is the use of bleaching gel being put in a sleeve moulding to your teeth. This has the advantage of being a more gradual process, which gives greater control when it comes to the exact ‘whiteness’ your teeth will be after the treatment.
Professional dentists have put out several words of warning:
If you choose to have your teeth whitened then to do it through a professional.
Although you can buy do-it-yourself kits from the internet and over the counter in some retail outlets, they will not be made to precisely fit your mouth, which has a unique shape. This may cause over sensitivity to your gums. They also have varying ingredients, some being unauthorised by UK standards, which may cause blistering of the mouth or worse some damage to the enamel of your teeth.
It may also be the case that your teeth are not suitable for teeth whitening, particularly if you have gum disease or crowns, and it takes a professional dentist to identify this with a thorough examination prior to the treatment.
Increasing amounts of brides are choosing smile makeovers and teeth whitening services as part of their big day check list and are finding that using the professional route on such a momentous day is the safest and most rewarding way forward to looking beautiful.
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