How to Take Care of Veneers

Getting a dental veneer can transform your smile instantly! But if you do invest in these wafer-thin materials, you want to make sure they last as long as possible. Porcelain veneers are designed to withstand almost everything your normal teeth can handle. If they're cared for well, you can enjoy the benefits of your veneers for anywhere from 10 to 15 years!

So how do you do your part to keep your veneers enhancing your smile for the long-term? These tips will teach you all you need to know to maintain and care for this dental fix.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

Whatever the reason you chose to get a veneer, it's not a magic fix for your mouth. You still have to use proper oral hygiene in order to make the most of the veneer.

Dental veneers cover minor flaws and imperfections to give you the smile makeover you deserve. If your natural teeth were already discolored, broken, or chipped due to poor dental care, you'll have to change your habits. Otherwise, your veneer won't last as long as it could.

Taking care of your oral health means doing things that keep your mouth healthy. Visit your dentist regularly and use a soft bristled toothbrush with a non abrasive toothpaste. Brush at least twice a day and use dental floss to protect your mouth from gum disease.

Ask Before Trying Whitening Products

Talk to your dental professionals before you use whitening toothpastes to make sure they won't affect the veneers surface. These products usually have hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda in them.

Your custom made shells were designed to match your natural shades. Whitening your teeth may affect your new smile.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

Porcelain and composite resin veneers are pretty tough and are stain resistant. This doesn't mean they're impervious, though. It's possible to stain a veneer.

To maintain veneers as best as possible, be aware of what you're eating and drinking. Many foods and beverages have staining agents that cause surface stains on your regular teeth.

Staining and Hard Foods Are a No-Go

Whether you're concerned about your veneer or the surrounding teeth, stains can mess up your radiant smile. Avoid stain causing foods and beverages, such as foods with soy sauce, dark sodas, and red wine, because these can discolor your veneer.

Very hard objects can also break both your teeth and your veneer. Be careful when you're eating things like raw apples, raw carrots, or other hard objects. Avoid chewing on ice, even with your real teeth. Veneers are thin shells that can shatter, and your enamel can break, too.

Quit Bad Habits

Your smile's appearance is affected by what you eat and drink, as well as your habits. Smoking will adversely affect your dental veneers quickly. You've already known that you should quit smoking. Getting composite resin or porcelain veneers adds a new rush to this need.

A veneer can completely transform your smile, but, like your natural teeth, smoking will stain the surface. If you want to keep your beautiful smile, you'll need to properly care for it by doing the hard stuff - stopping those unhealthy habits.

Too much alcohol can also cause tooth decay and surface staining. Talk to your dentist about your concerns. They may have some simple tips or solutions that have worked for other people that you hadn't thought of yet.

Use a Mouth Guard if You Need One

Dental veneers are held in place with a bonding agent. Grinding teeth or getting hit in the mouth can shift the bonding line and knock the veneer out of place. It can be reset if there isn't any other damage, but it's better to avoid it altogether.

For that reason, some people should wear mouth guards along with their veneers. If you're in contact sports regularly, or you have bruxism (grinding), talk to your dentist and let them know about these parts of your lifestyle.

They'll be able to teach you the proper care of veneers, address teeth grinding and the causes, and offer solutions. An occlusal guard or a bite guard protects your natural teeth, dental implants, and and porcelain veneers.

You might not realize it, but the bite force you have when you're grinding subconsciously can do a great deal of damage. To prevent erosion and harm to your healthy teeth, wear a mouth guard. And if you're in a contact sport, a sports guard protects your teeth from damage if you are in a collision and your jaw, mouth, or face are hit.

Get Regular Cleanings and Exams

Finally, your dental veneers will last much longer if you go for regular cleanings and checkups. The dental hygienist has tools to scrape away bacteria, tartar, and plaque buildup that you may not be able to reach. Yes, the right toothpaste and brush help, but it's not the same as getting a cleaning from someone with training, techniques, and special equipment.

Checkups from the dentist help prevent problems like gum disease or decaying teeth from spreading into serious issues. The sooner you get any oral hygiene complications under control, the healthier your natural teeth will be. This lets your porcelain veneers have the best shot at a long lifespan.

Helping You Keep Your Veneers and Teeth Healthy

How you care for your teeth at home goes a long way in maximizing the life of your veneers. Brushing twice a day or more with the right toothpaste and toothbrush is a start. An antiseptic mouthwash helps kill any bacteria you missed, and flossing keeps your gum line healthy.

Keep in mind, the better shape your mouth is in, the healthier your veneers will be. Seeing the dentist for checkups regularly is an essential part of good oral health care. Your dentist will watch for cavities, early signs of gingivitis or progressing periodontitis, and issues with your veneers.

Do your part at home, and find a dentist you trust to monitor your oral health. Together, you'll be on the right path to long-lasting veneers!

Recent Article: