A wedding can leave your cheeks sore from smiling as you share in the pure joy of the occasion. A sure-fire way to emphasise your smile on your wedding day is to invest in teeth whitening – a simple and effective solution that guarantees fast results. Give yourself an extra boost of confidence for your special day, because we all know that if you feel great, you look great too!

Contributing Factors

Hobsons Bay Dental is a general and cosmetic family dental practice that specialises in a range of 3D technology services, including Invisalign, teeth whitening, crowns, veneers and cosmetic injections. The company has seen a recent influx in bridal parties undergoing teeth whitening procedures before the big day. “It’s such a simple and effective way to improve your smile before the wedding,” says Andrews. Many clients see a great difference in a short amount of time, which leaves customers confident in their appearance and the quality of the service.

Many things contribute to the colour of your teeth, and limiting these factors can have a tremendous effect. “Stains from food, drinks and other sources such as smoking can alter the pigmentation of your teeth, causing yellowing and discolouration,” says Andrews. Coffee, tea and red wine are some of the most common causes of discolouration and can contribute to teeth losing their whiteness over time.

The Process

Hobsons Bay Dental has introduced an effective and proven way to whiten your teeth. This involves fitting a custom, 3D-scanned tray to the unique shape of your mouth. This tray is then used in combination with professional-grade bleaching agents and inserted overnight, which perfectly seals the bleach in place due to limited saliva flow. “We get predictable, long-lasting results [with our trays],” says Andrews. “We do not

recommend the use of DIY or one-size-fits-all mouldable bleach trays, as these do not seal out saliva andcan cause gum irritation and burning if used with strong bleach.”

In-chair procedures may appeal to brides- and grooms-to-be as they involve a one-off approach, but they may not be as effective in the long run. Compared to the overnight systems, in-chair procedures may also cause tooth sensitivity. Andrews encourages the use of desensitising toothpaste before and during treatment to counteract any sensitivity that may be experienced. He also warns against the use of LED lights and other gimmicks, which have been scientifically proven to have little to no effect.

Think Ahead

For those who have never bleached their teeth before, it’s advised to not leave whitening to the last minute. “Ideally, whitening should take place three to four weeks before the wedding to ensure the evenness of results,” says Andrews. “For someone who has never bleached before, we would allow a minimum of one to two weeks before the event.” However, the beauty of this procedure is the fact that it can be completed ahead of time, with an additional top-up just prior to the wedding. Some individuals may also be more susceptible to patchiness or fading, so arranging this procedure in advance may benefit you in the long run.

Pricing

Depending on the system you choose, professional bleaching ranges from $250 for an overnight kit, to $1000 for in-chair systems. Other dental procedures that are effective in the lead up to the big day include Invisalign clear aligners, which are not only a great investment for your wedding day, but also for life. Straightening your teeth has never been easier and less invasive. A clear, ‘invisible’ mouth guard is fitted to your teeth to promote movement. “It works for almost all cases of crooked teeth,” says Andrews. Treatment