On your wedding day, as you pose for a million photos and mingle with family and friends, your smile (along with that gorgeous dress) is sure to be front and center.
Naturally, you want your smile shining its brightest. (After all, no one wants to browse through wedding day photos and have the regret of "Dang, I wish I had whitened my teeth!")
So when you say, "I do," how can you make sure you say "I don’t" to yellow teeth? Keep reading for everything you need to know about DIY teeth whitening for your wedding day.
First, Is DIY Teeth Whitening Right for You?
Bride on a budget? Then DIY teeth whitening is definitely the smart choice. It will only set you back $15–$40. Compare that to the national average of $650 for professional teeth whitening. If you’d rather spend that cash on the honeymoon, we totally get it!
But, if you’re looking for faster, more dramatic results OR you have severely stained teeth, professional teeth whitening may be well worth the investment.
On average, people who go in for professional teeth whitening treatments get results of 7–8 shades lighter on their teeth versus around 3 shades lighter using OTC products.
Additionally, if you have chipped or uneven teeth, professional whitening will give you more consistent results.
3 Essential Steps for a Dazzling Wedding-Day Smile
#1. Prep for Your White Smile
- 1–2 Months Before Wedding: Make sure you get in for a regular dental cleaning if it’s been longer than 6 months (3 months if you have gum disease or diabetes). This will polish away surface stains so you can get better results with your home teeth whitening. It’s also a good time to ask your dentist any questions you have about teeth whitening.
- 2 Weeks Before Whitening: Swish 2x a day with a non-staining, alcohol-free fluoride rinse prior to beginning your teeth whitening regimen. This will help prime your enamel so you don’t have to deal with teeth that hurt after whitening, which often occurs in the first 48 hours. Bonus, your breath will be super fresh too!
- 2–4 Weeks Before Wedding: You’ll want to start teeth whitening 2–4 weeks before your wedding day to get the full effects and be past any lingering tooth sensitivity.
#2. Choose Your At-Home Teeth Whitening Product
While teeth whitening pens are the most affordable option, across the board, consensus is that compared to whitening strips and trays, the results of whitening pens are minimal.
Because we’re talking wedding-day smiles that really need to dazzle, we suggest rolling with either teeth whitening strips or teeth whitening trays.
According to a tooth whitening study, both whitening strips (6% hydrogen peroxide) and gel trays (10% carbamide peroxide) delivered significant improvement in tooth color after 2 weeks, with no major differences between the two systems.
The takeaway? Both methods are effective, so it’s about choosing which is best for you. Trays offer better coverage, but strips are more convenient and make less of a mess.
Best Practices for DIY Teeth Whitening
Gently brush with water or non-fluoride paste 30 minutes before application to open the pores of your teeth
Avoid fluoride toothpaste beforehand – it can block results
Take your time to avoid getting gel on your gums
Avoid staining food/drinks & tooth brushing for 2 hours post-application
Follow instructions carefully for best results and to avoid sensitivity
#3. Shine On
After you whiten your teeth, don’t celebrate with a half-rack of ribs (extra barbecue sauce) and a huge glass of red wine on the side. You’ll want to take extra care to protect your whitening results before your wedding. A good rule is, if it’ll stain your white wedding dress, it’ll stain your teeth!
Speaking of wedding day protection (eek – no, not that!), you’ll want to avoid harsh whitening toothpastes after your treatment. It’s true! They can actually lead to wear and tear of your enamel, ironically dulling your smile and increasing sensitivity.
Best Toothpaste to Preserve Your Teeth Whitening Results
Teeth whitening at home is a big time investment, and you’ll of course want to make your results last as long as possible. So go with the formula dentists recommend: Oxyfresh Pro Formula Toothpaste with natural peppermint essential oil.
This premium toothpaste has one of the lowest abrasion ratings on the index (RDA 45). Compare that to whitening toothpastes at 150+, putting them in the "highly abrasive" or "harmfully abrasive" category.
Why does low abrasion matter with toothpaste? It preserves your enamel, which is vital because under the enamel is the yellow dentin layer!
But don’t worry – Oxyfresh Pro Formula Toothpaste still removes surface stains like a pro and gives you the added benefit of all-day fresh breath (a must for your wedding day), courtesy of proprietary Oxygene®, a non-toxic breath-freshener you won’t find in any other toothpaste brand. Plus, unlike many toothpastes, it’s dye free to give your pearly whites even more ongoing protection.
Cheers to the Happy Couple
As you tie the knot, we wish you much happiness and a lifetime of smiles. And now that you know everything there is to know about wedding-day teeth whitening, we hope you’ll feel even more confident in your gorgeous smile.
