No one wants a dingy smile for the wedding day camera—these pictures will be, after all, hanging on the walls of your in-laws’ home forever. Scheduling a trip to the dentist for a deep clean might not be possible since you have the oh-so-small job of planning a wedding. To make sure your teeth are truly pearly, keep these four quick tips in mind on the days leading up to your wedding.
ADD A DASH OF BAKING SODA
Baking soda is a great chemical compound that can (quickly!) brighten your smile. Although it is possible to brush your teeth exclusively with baking soda, that may lead to oral pain so try adding a little bit to your usual toothpaste and see the difference is a few days, or save it for a pre-wedding ritual. For full details, check out Viva Woman’s tutorial.
A SPOONFUL OF VINEGAR
It turns out grandma was right. Vinegar is a natural and easy way to whiten teeth because of its high acidic level. You can use apple cider vinegar as a gargle solution or as a brushing agent. (You can use regular vinegar too, but the apple version will taste better!)
EVERYONE LIKES BUBBLES
Hydrogen peroxide has been found to be a good source for teeth whitening. Many people have used diluted solutions of water and hydrogen peroxide as a long-term mouthwash. David Askaripour from Skrewtips suggests swishing three percent hydrogen peroxide for around a minute before you brush your teeth. Bonus: hydrogen peroxide also helps strengthens teeth and can help heal canker sores.
TAKE A STROLL INTO THE KITCHEN
A lot of dingy teeth issues stems from food, but food can also help. The best part is you probably already have the food around the kitchen. Many fruits, vegetables and herbs like citrus, strawberries and mint are affordable, at-home ways to brighten your smile. Get the full details in this Equally Wed post.
WHAT TO AVOID
Red wine, coffee, tea and dark sodas should be avoided. Even though you’ll need all the caffeine sources as possible during the last few weeks before the wedding, these drinks are some of the most common sources of teeth stains. If you don’t think you can make it without those drinks, drink them through a straw to minimize the direct contact of your teeth and the liquid.
Photo: Ryan Carville Photography; wordpress.com
