I am having some anxiety about my teeth and Mr. Sword’s teeth, but since I’m also able to laugh at myself and my diluted first world problems, I decided to share this with everyone. Make sure you locate your own sense of humor before reading on, it’s quite pathetic.
Dilemma One: How do I get Mr. Sword to agree to whiten his teeth?!!? I’m planning on doing some form of whitening myself because I’m a bit sensitive about my side fangs that appear quite yellow in photos, and because I could use an overall brighter set of pearly whites for the Big Day. Since getting engaged I’ve been talking to Mr. Sword about getting his teeth whitened as well, but he wants no part in it.
You know the joke about people from the UK not having good teeth?
image via Gotcha Movies
I’m lucky my Scottish man has really good teeth, but I’m still nervous that they will look a lot more yellow when photographed next to mine if he chooses not to whiten.
Now, I know what you’re going to say. Don’t force the man to whiten his teeth! It’s fine. Why are you worrying about something so stupid? And to that I say, fair enough, but maybe I shouldn’t whiten mine either? Why do I feel like it has to be both of us or neither of us?
Dilemma Two: When do I schedule my final, pre-wedding dental appointment? As someone who loves candy and sweets as much as I do, and who’s convinced she has genetically bad (soft) teeth (read cavities her whole life), I know the importance of going to the dentist the recommended twice a year. A few years ago, I finally found a dentist I just love and since then have had great luck in keeping my teeth cavity free!
Well my appointment is coming up at the end of November, and after realizing that I was unable to make it and going to have to switch to another day, I called my dentist’s office only to hear from their receptionist that they are slammed at the end of the year and have no openings left. She found an appointment for me in January and I convinced myself that it was a good thing to wait until closer to the wedding. Perfect. A fresh cleaning a month or so before the Big Day. I do want my teeth to be their freshest and cleanest!
BUT THEN, the receptionist found an opening on Nov. 29th and I was able to go back to my original timeline. That’s when the anxiety hit.
I wasn’t sure what would be best…should I wait until closer to the wedding so my teeth look their very best or should I keep my six month checkup in case something is wrong and I need to get it taken care of ahead of time? Gah, why must I have both options?
More importantly, WHY, in my decision-making panic, did I utter the words, “I don’t know what to do, I’m freaking out!” to the very sweet receptionist on the phone!?!?!?!? (She was surprisingly sympathetic too, seriously I love my dental office.)
Clearly this was a case of bridal brain.
Perhaps I should spend more time pondering when we’re going to assemble, stamp, and print addresses on our invitations or focus on the fact that I have no wedding shoes or jewelry, but instead I’m worried about my next dental appointment. Awesome.
Please tell me you’ve worried about something strange a few months before your wedding? Also, did anyone convince their partner to whiten before the wedding? I know I should pick my battles but COME ON, what if I want to “pick” this one?
I left Mr. D’s teeth alone (and mine — they’re too sensitive to whiten!). They look fine to me in photos but we didn’t really have many closeups.
I think it’s something that could be easily corrected after the fact, with images, if you wanted, though!
Cleanings are relatively inexpensive. I get my teeth cleaned 3-4 times a year, and am getting my teeth cleaned 3 weeks before the wedding. My last cleaning wasn’t covered by my dental (I had maxed my insurance!) and it only cost about $40 or so!
My FI likes to whiten, so we’ll both whiten before the wedding. However, I’d say do what you want. If you want your teeth to be whiter, whiten them a little (or a lot, whatever you want), and if Mr. Sword doesn’t want to whiten, he doesn’t have to. Remember that while you want to be “your best you” on your wedding day, you also want to be “you” and that means letting Mr. Sword be him, even if that means he doesn’t whiten his teeth.
As for the appointment, I’d say go with the November appointment and see if they suggest doing another cleaning closer to the big day, just in case!
what method of whitening is/has everyone doing/done? I’m looking at Zoom but interested in any other possibly less painful options!
As a compromise why don’t you get a good quality whitening tooth paste for him to use? That way it won’t be as big a deal, more a gradual change! x
Don’t force the man to whiten his teeth! It’s fine. Why are you worrying about something so stupid?
This is just a suggestion, but what about whitening tooth paste? I like one called supersmile that we actually got in my fiances subscription to birchbox. It’s a pro whitening toothpaste and accelerator. My guy doesn’t like shopping for grooming stuff but likes to look good so I basically just hand stuff to him and say, “use this.” This may be a compromise for the two of you.
I just had an apt, and my dental office booked me in the beginning of Feb, 19 days before my Day…compliments of my dentist, as a wedding gift, complete with a polishing as well….My FI won’t be going or whitening either..thats ok, he’ll still look great day of
An alternative is always to photoshop the images. Just like the photographer can make a pimple vanish, he can easily decrease the yellow saturation on teeth. That way you’d get the white teeth photos without actually having to twist Mr. Sword’s arm.
I like both @Pink Penguin and @Mrs. Bracelet‘s suggestions. A whitening toothpaste (I totally recommend the Crest 3D Line) or just relying on your photographers’ photo-editing skills is a GREAT compromise to actually dealing with the whole whitening process.
I just bought an at home whitening kit and bought one for Mr. Toadstool too. We’re both in this together.
I have a friend that swears by just rubbing peroxide on her teeth with a q-tip! She said it works as good as the whitening kits but is way cheaper and easier.
We didn’t whiten our teeth for the wedding, but a few years ago I had mine professionally whitened at my dentist’s office… it was BEYOND uncomfortable! I later tried an at home kit from dentist but had to stop using it because it hurt too much! I’ve come to realize I’m super sensitive and refuse to do it anymore… thankfully my teeth look good and I don’t need to. I will say…. I’m a huge fan of whitening toothpaste! Plus I never drink soda, juice or coffee unless it’s through a straw!
i’ve heard good things about the crest whitening strips – but that you have to spring for the ~$100 kind for it to be very noticeable.
its funny you posted this because i have a “make dental appointment” task on my to do list for wayyy too long…
I would recommend keeping your appointment for the end of this month (in case anything serious needs fixed) and then both go for a cleaning a week or two before the wedding. Your teeth will be squeaky clean that way. I wouldn’t bother with whitening – like others have said you can always photoshhop after if you want but I’m sure you’re pearly whites will look just fine. I get where you’re coming from on the “having to match” point though – I wanted a light tan before our wedding (I am Scottish so v pasty normally) and was worried that I would contrast too much with my husband. He’s a trooper though and actually suggested he get a little bit of a tan too so he was looking his best (and I breathed a sigh of relief that we would match!)
@ylojerseygirl: I was looking into Zoom, I hope it’s not painful!
@Pink Penguin: Great suggestion!
Also, I agree with the whole going both now and right before the wedding, but my insurance is crap (I pay on my own not through work) and I pay almost 100% of everything so it’s not feasible for me to go twice. We’ll see what happens!
Mrs. Sword, Chicago Age and Occupation: 28, Nanny/Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Software Engineer Engagement Date: February 19, 2012 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: Embassy Suites Bloomington West in Bloomington, MN About Me: I am a true girly-girl originally from the great state of Minnesota and my fiancé hails from the beautiful country of Scotland. We met and fell in love in our favorite city, Chicago, and are having a blast blending our cultures for "A Highland Fairy Tale" wedding! We are truly a case of opposites attract in that he’s a world traveling introvert and I’m a social butterfly who is never too far from home. We both love hanging out with family and friends, fine dining, and laughing at ourselves. He drinks a lot of beer and I talk too much. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
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