How to get a party-perfect smile this party season

With party season upon us, it’s time to start the prep to ensure that we’re all looking and feeling our best for the festivities.

And with 48% of UK adults saying that someone’s smile is the first thing they notice (and the main thing they remember) when meeting them for the first time, it’s key to make sure that your pearly whites are exactly that during the fabulous festive season.

We’ve got some top tips on getting your smile style stepped up and party-perfect this season!

1. Stick to a regular hygiene routine

Yes, that means brushing and flossing twice daily. Everyone should brush their teeth twice per day – no excuses. Two minutes in front of the mirror is all it takes, to make sure you’re getting rid of leftover food particles and debris, which can lead to tooth decay or plaque if left. Flossing is also an essential to healthy teeth and fresh breath, as it removes lingering bacteria to keep the mouth fresher and healthier. Wrap floss around the teeth and scrape down the fronts for maximum efficacy.

2. Flash those pearly whites

Skip the charcoal toothpastes and at-home whitening kits; if you want a glossy, gleaming grin this festive season, the only way to go is professional whitening. Head to your dentist now to have accurate moulds made of your teeth, and get access to medical-grade whitening gel, which will effectively lighten your smile in as little as seven to ten days. Professional whitening is the safest, longest-lasting and most effective way to lighten your teeth. At-home kits don’t contain the same concentration of ingredients that professional dentists can administer, meaning that results will not be as effective, but it’s also safer to visit your dentist to have your teeth whitened ahead of the festive season. We can also advise you on how to care for your whitened teeth, which foods to avoid and which products to use to maintain their new freshness.

3. Wear the right shade of lipstick

The colour of your pout will effect how good your smile looks – yes, it’s true! Opting for a dramatic dark lipstick with cooler undertones can really help to make your teeth appear whiter, so try those deep berry tones if you dare. Otherwise, any shade with a blue undertone can help boost the brightness of your smile, like a classic pillar-box red, or a rich fuchsia pink. Avoid any shades with an orange or yellow undertone, and try to skip past lighter shades, which won’t contrast against yellowy tones in the teeth and might make them look discoloured.

4. Choose your tipple wisely

A Christmas party often means booze will be on the menu, but according to our team of dentists, you should be very careful about which tipple you opt for. You might not have even thought about it before, but many drinks that you consume during the party season can have a long-lasting negative impact on your smile. Prosecco is one of the worst culprits; it’s crammed with sugar (one teaspoon per glass!), as well as a high concentration of phosphoric, malic, citric and tartaric acids that can literally melt away enamel. There is a phenomenon called ‘prosecco smile’ which shows the damage this popular choice can do to your smile.

And it’s not just prosecco we should avoid – fizzy mixers should be treated with caution too, thanks to their high sugar content damaging our teeth. If you must drink fizzy drinks, whether it be a glass of bubbly or a gin and soda, you should alternate each glass with a glass of water, to rinse away the sugar and acids and limit the damage they do to your teeth.

Also on the hitlist? A festive favourite – red wine. A glass of red wine here and there isn’t going to cause instant damage, but a couple of glasses regularly will start to affect the colour of your teeth. Choose white wine where you can and limit your red wine intake if you want to maintain the whiteness of your smile.

5. Get a scale and polish

Even a deep-clean can make a big difference to your smile ahead of the party season. Head to your dentist for a thorough scrub and polish, to remove any plaque and surface stains and give you a glossier, healthier grin. Professional cleaning is a great addition to a good daily oral hygiene routine, and is something you should schedule regularly with your dentist or hygienist. Tartar and plaque are scraped away, then the teeth are buffed and polished, making them smooth, bright and shiny. An ideal way to boost the glow of your grin this winter!