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What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are a common choice for those that wish to cover up any imperfections that they may have with their teeth such as stains or chips. These veneers are made out of thin pieces of porcelain and are able to alter the shape, size, length, and color of your teeth. Patients who have permanent aesthetic concerns with their teeth may find that they are more confident in their smiles after treatment.
It is important that you care for veneers properly if you want to make them last as long as possible. It is possible for veneers to last 10-15 years or even longer if properly cared for. Here are some tips to help you properly care for and maintain your porcelain veneers.
How to Take Proper Care of Your Veneers
As with anything the better care you take of your veneers the longer that they will last. When it comes to your veneers you can relax knowing that your veneers do not require any special care. In fact, caring for your veneers is straighforward when you follow these tips.
Good oral hygiene is important
As long as you already have good oral hygiene habits then you most likely won’t need to change it to care for your veneers. You just need to brush, flush, and rinse:
- Brush - Use a non-abrasive toothpaste and either a manual or electric toothbrush to brush your teeth at least twice a day; ideally, you should brush after every meal.
- Floss - Floss at least once a day to remove particles caught between teeth and to protect the health of your teeth, veneers, and gums. It’s best to floss after every meal.
- Rinse - Swirl some antiseptic mouthwash around your mouth once or twice a day to rinse it. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash, because excessive exposure to alcohol can cause the adhesive agents to soften. While this softening wouldn’t cause the veneers to fall off, it might make them more susceptible to staining and wear.
Teeth grinding
Bruxism refers to grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping. For patients with veneers, this can be an issue as it can put stress on them and could potentially cause damage. Grinding your teeth is not only bad for your veneers, It’s also bad for your teeth and jaw joints, so if you suspect that you grind your teeth, speak with your dentist as soon as possible. An easy solution for protecting your teeth is to have your dentist fit you with a nightguard. Wearing this device while you sleep will protect your veneers from damage.
Avoid chewing on hard objects
While your veneers are strong and fairly resistant to damage, it is still possible for it to happen. Most food shouldn't cause any concerns while eating but it’s best to avoid chewing on excessively hard materials like pens, your fingernails, ice, and bones.
The importance of protecting your teeth
Physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but participating in basketball, football, wrestling, and other contact sports can endanger the health of your new smile. To protect your veneers and your natural teeth from getting damaged you should speak to your dentist regarding a sports mouthguard.
Avoid substances that stain
Just like your natural teeth, veneers can get stained, so it’s a good idea to limit foods that are known to cause discoloration, like coffee, red wine, dark sodas, tea, curry, and berries. Smoking is another habit that can lead to stains, so if you smoke, you may want to consider quitting; not only will it improve your overall health, but it will also help keep your veneers white and bright.
Visit your dentist regularly
Routine dental examinations are necea=sary for your overall oral health. It is important to ensure that you see your dentist at least every six months for both your teeth and your veneers by ensuring that any potential problems are spotted quickly and treated before they become bigger concerns. In addition, your dentist or dental hygienist will use professional equipment to polish your veneers and preserve their pearly-white gleam.