You’re engaged! Congratulations. Now for these pre-wedding jitters…are your teeth all they could be? Are there ways to photograph you so your teeth look better? Here’s a guide to help!
General Oral Care Tips
First things first: Continue practicing great oral care (or start doing so). For example:
- Avoid foods that stain your teeth (raspberries, red wine and coffee, for example). Otherwise, rinse your mouth well after enjoying them.
- Brush and floss twice a day.
- Get regular dental cleanings.
If you don’t have dental insurance to get these cleanings, invest in a dental discount plan. For a monthly or annual fee, you can get significant discounts on cleanings and other dental procedures such as those to fix chipped teeth. You’ll also have the opportunity to confer with a dentist about whitening tips. Not coincidentally, that brings us to the next section.
Healthy Whitening Guidelines
A dental cleaning may be all that is necessary to restore the shine you want to your teeth. If it’s not, talk with your dentist about any in-office whitening procedures offered. They work quickly and tend to give a better and longer-lasting whitening effect than store-bought products. Let’s face it—planning a wedding can be stressful and takes time. At the end of a long day, will you remember to put on whitening strips or even feel like doing so?
Of course, you may be eager to try out whitening at home or that’s the only option within your budget. Great! Try:
- Using apple cider vinegar plus water as mouthwash once every few days (doing it every day can erode enamel and soften your teeth)
- Brushing with toothpaste that has baking soda
- Replacing your toothbrush every two months to prevent bacteria buildup
- Using custom at-home whitening trays if you want your teeth a shade or two whiter
Crest 3D whitening strips are popular and have delivered good results for many people, even those with sensitive teeth. There are lots of other products to explore if you want.
Teeth that Photograph Well
If you have cracked or broken teeth, your dentist should be able to address the issue. Ditto for missing teeth. Or maybe you like that your front tooth has a chip—it’s a sign of character. So, project that confidence when you smile for photos. Confidence (or the appearance of it) can help overcome any actual or imagined physical flaw.
That’s why wedding photography experts recommend that you smile naturally and gently and to relax when you smile.
If you wear lipstick, check out a few options to see if there are any shades that complement your teeth or that make them look whiter. For example, if you want pink lipstick, one with a bluer undertone will probably “whiten” your teeth more than one with a yellow undertone. Generally avoid darker shades, as they’ll give your teeth a bit of a yellowing effect.
Also, stand straight when posing for photographs. Turn your head a bit and dip your chin instead of extending your head too far forward and slouching.
Whew! That’s a lot of keep track of, which leads to this piece of advice: Practice. You can stand in front of a mirror to see which poses you’re nailing. Similarly, set your cellphone to video or to automatically take pictures. See if you’re happy with the results. This way, you know how to pose for good effect in the actual pictures.
Last but not least: Pick wedding photographers who are great at maximizing strengths while minimizing flaws. If you have a friend who has so-so teeth but incredible wedding photographs, you might want to snap up that photographer. Also, make sure that your photographer is willing to retouch photos to whiten your teeth if that’s what you want.