In a recent online poll conducted by Dear Doctor, the premier dentistry magazine for consumers, 77% of those polled planned on visiting their dentist prior to their wedding. For some, this includes a thorough cleaning to remove stains and freshen both their smile and breath. However, a growing number of brides, grooms, and parents of the couple are seeking cosmetic dentistry or more specifically, smile makeovers, to transform their smile for the special day as well as improve their future happiness.

If this describes your situation, you should stop putting it off and take the first step towards the smile you have always wanted. To create your ideal smile, your dentist will first meet with you to get to know you and hear your concerns, goals, expectations, and wedding day timeline. Feel free to bring in photos or magazine images of smiles that illustrate exactly what you want or do not want, as well as images of smiles that you consider beautiful. This tip helps to ensure that your dentist understands what you find attractive, as beauty can vary greatly from individual to individual. During this initial consultation, you will also learn about your smile makeover treatment options as well as what you could expect immediately prior, during, and following each option.

Some subtle improvements your dentist may consider are tooth whitening and tooth bonding. Both of these options can take place in just a few office visits and produce very attractive results. Porcelain veneers and crowns can provide you with long-term results that can last from 10 to 20 years. However, because they typically require more time to complete, approximately 1 to 4 months, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time before your special day. Another procedure that can play a dramatic role in your smile makeover is periodontal plastic surgery. During this procedure, a periodontist (gum surgeon) can alter your gum tissues and their relationship to your teeth. For example, a skilled periodontist can often correct the appearance of “short” teeth by lengthening them during a 1 to 1 1/2 hour surgical procedure that has minor discomfort yet results in a life-long change.

To learn more, contact your dental professional today to discuss your smile makeover questions.

Your wedding photos will capture the memories of your special day that you will cherish forever. Flashing your best smile is a must. So how can your best smile be captured every time? Following are a few tips that you can try that may help to ensure that you love those life-long lasting photographs.

Professional photographer Michael Polito offers Dear Doctor magazine some of the advice he would offer every bride and groom on their wedding day. First and foremost, the most important advice he can provide you with is for you to feel totally comfortable with your photographer and your images will reflect that.

Slightly Tilt Your Head
Celebrities know how to flash their perfect smile for the cameras. They have studied exactly how to pose and angle their heads to get the most attractive smile possible. It is usually recommended to tilt your head slightly to the camera because most people have a-symmetrical faces. This also explains why one side of your face may photograph better than the other.

Moisten Your Teeth Just Before the Photo is Snapped
A quick swipe of your tongue over your teeth just before the photograph is taken can help your teeth twinkle and add brightness to the photo. Celebrities often place Vaseline on their teeth when they are expecting to smile repeatedly to help their teeth shine brightly and to also help prevent their lips from sticking to their teeth.

Smile With Your Teeth Slightly Parted
When your teeth are slightly parted during your smile, a more natural smile is conveyed. A very rigid appearance comes across when your teeth are together.

Wear A Creamy Lipstick
A creamy lipstick can accentuate your lips and make your teeth look brighter.

Practice Makes Perfect
Practice smiling in front of the mirror to ensure that the smile you are about to show off in your wedding day photographs is the smile that you like. Learning how to accentuate your smile is a skill that can be developed. Most importantly, don't force your smile — relax and have fun.

Trying to prepare for the big “I do” kiss? Here are some suggestions for the most perfectly kissable lips your groom will always remember:

Are your lips chapped?
The last thing a bride wants on her wedding day is chapped, dry lips. Consider using a lip exfoliant product every night followed by a lip hydrator to get the results that you want. This method can work for the groom as well! Practice kissing together for the big day.

Are you using the right shade of lipstick?
A professional make-up artist is probably a good idea for the big day. Here are a few hints: Orange toned lipsticks are known for bringing out the yellow in your teeth, so stay away from orange. Try using a lipstick with pink or red tones which will bring out the white in your teeth and accentuate your smile.

Be sure to compliment your dress!
Choosing the right shade of lipstick to compliment the undertone of your dress can be tricky. Try and experiment with a few different shades of lipstick so that you can choose which shade best suits you on your wedding day.

Don't forget your dentist! Proper maintenance of your teeth after your wedding is always necessary to keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy. Use the following suggestions as a guideline:

• loss and brush gently twice daily and use a fluoride toothpaste.
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.
• Teeth whitening may need to be maintained.
• Eat a healthy diet for your oral and general health.

Congratulations — have a good life and smile often!

Regardless of your age or gender, having a beautiful smile on your wedding day is everyone's dream. After all, who wants to remember their special day through photos of stained, crooked, or even missing teeth. Once you've achieved your dream smile, your wedding day photos will be a wonderful memory forever. Tips to further enhance your photos include slightly tilting your head when you smile for the camera as this generally results in a more attractive photo and shows off your smile. And by smiling with your teeth slightly parted your smile will look much more natural.

With 77% of Dear Doctor's polled readers responding that part of their wedding plans included (or will include) a visit to their dentist prior to their wedding day, you clearly understand the importance of having a beautiful wedding-day smile. And even though there are numerous techniques for accomplishing your long-term goals, it is imperative that you make your appointment early to ensure you have ample time to define, implement, and complete the treatment you want.