What better way to celebrate your big day than with a big, beautiful smile?
For many brides and grooms, fixing crooked or misaligned teeth can rank high in their wedding prep — and if you leave yourself enough time, it’s more than achievable.
But even if you decide to tackle a troublesome smile with, say, only six months to go, you can still make noticeable progress, even if it means adding aligners to your wedding day ensemble.
In this post, we share a few common problems you might have with aligners on the day of your wedding, and how you can avoid them.
First thing’s first: What are aligners?
If you’ve got a few years until your wedding rolls around, you might consider a more traditional teeth-straightening method, such as wire braces. Just remember this is a fixed system that can’t be removed, so you could run the risk of a mouthful of metal on your wedding day if your treatment takes longer than expected.
With this in mind, an increasing number of brides and grooms are turning to clear plastic aligners, like Invisalign. These invisible braces use a series of moulds, custom-made for your teeth. You simply remove and replace each aligner every two weeks until, bit by bit, your teeth move into your desired position.
Invisalign aligners are comfortable, discreet, and transparent, so hardly anyone will notice you’re wearing them. Perfect if you need to keep them in as you walk down the aisle.
There are a few common aligner issues that become magnified when you throw the excitement (and stress) of a wedding into the mix. Here we explain each in a little more detail.
Problem #1: You forget to brush after eating
If you’ve been using Invisalign for a while, you’re probably in the habit of carrying a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you to every meal. Keeping your teeth clean and healthy is vital to successful Invisalign treatment and, ideally, you won’t want to abandon this habit on your wedding day.
That being said, brushing your teeth after your reception just isn’t practical. You may not get the time to excuse yourself as you meet and greet your guests — and the thought of leaning over a sink trying not to get toothpaste on your dress or suit is, frankly, comical.
Instead, consider chewing some sugar-free after you’ve eaten. This isn’t a replacement for brushing, but it can protect your teeth against plaque until you’re able to brush your teeth properly at the end of the day.
Problem #2: You misplace or lose your aligners
The beauty of Invisalign is that you can remove your aligners at a moment’s notice. This is great for your vows, pictures, speeches, and eating that delicious meal you’ve been planning for months.
However, the flipside to this is that you could forget to put them back in — and skipping even a day of Invisalign treatment could set your progress back. So make sure you’re wearing them as much as possible, even on your wedding day.
And when you do take them out, put them in your case. Don’t shove them in a pocket (where they’ll get dirty or misshapen) and don’t wrap them in a napkin while you eat, as they could get accidentally thrown away when the tables are cleared.
Problem #3: You stain or warp your aligners
It wouldn’t be a wedding without a few toasts, would it?
Whatever you’re drinking as you raise your glass, keep your aligners in mind. Red wine and sugary, fizzy drinks can stain the plastic, which could make your teeth appear yellow from a distance.
If you opt for an alcoholic drink, it’s best to choose clear liquids, like gin, vodka, or white wine. And where possible, use a straw if you’re keeping your aligners in while drinking. This will stop the liquid from coming into contact with the plastic.
Lastly, if you’re offering tea/coffee and cake after the meal, remember to remove your aligners before indulging. Hot drinks can warp the plastic, which alters the fit and lowers the effectiveness of the treatment.
Want straighter teeth in time for your wedding? Invisalign is perfect for your big day
Clear plastic aligners, like Invisalign, are a great option if you’re aiming for a straighter, brighter, and healthier smile in time for your wedding. Even if you start your treatment just a few months before your nuptials, you can still see some noticeable improvement — especially if you work with a specialist orthodontist.
And if you do need to wear them on the big day, simply follow our advice above and continue your treatment without drawing focus from your beautiful photos.
