4 Tips For Sustaining Your Porcelain Veneers

21 February 2020
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Porcelain veneers transform your smile by replacing previously damaged teeth. In the place of chipped or discolored teeth, veneers give you smooth, white teeth that make you proud to share your smile. Veneers are an investment in your self-confidence and in your oral health. When maintained properly, veneers can last for 15 years or more. It is important to protect your investment by following best practices when it comes to sustaining your oral health and your veneers. Here are four tips for sustaining the quality of your porcelain veneers.

Use a whitening toothpaste.

When you first get your veneers, your dentist matches their hue to your surrounding natural teeth. Over time, your veneers may become stained due to the consumption of dark pigmented foods and drinks, or from cigarette smoke. While curbing your consumption of these things is helpful, using a whitening toothpaste is a good way to keep your natural teeth and veneers white. make sure you choose a whitening toothpaste that is non-abrasive. Kinds of toothpaste that are abrasive may cause microscopic damage to your veneers over time, leading to structural issues down the road.

Floss with caution.

Flossing is an important component of an oral hygiene routine. It is essential to floss in order to dislodge food particles, plaque, and other debris from between the teeth and gums. You should floss your veneers as well as your natural teeth. Mind the amount of force you use when flossing your veneers. Using too much force while flossing around your veneers may lead to accidental cracking of the porcelain. Ask your dentist about the best way to floss your veneers.

Get your veneers polished.

Porcelain veneers should be kept clean with regular brushing and flossing. They also benefit from periodic polishing as well. A cosmetic dentist is able to provide this service. Polishing requires specialized equipment and solutions in order to best treat the porcelain. A cosmetic dentist should polish your veneers every 3-4 months for the most optimal results.

Avoid chewing inedible items.

Do your best to keep inedible items away from your veneers. While chewing food is unlikely to damage your dental veneers, chewing on the hard plastic of a pen cap could very well cause your veneers to chip or crack. Biting your nails could also have the same undesired effect. Try to be mindful of what you put in your mouth. If chewing or grinding your teeth is a nervous habit, try to be conscious of what stresses you out.

If you are interested in learning more about dental veneers, you can contact a dentist like the ones at Henderson Family Dentistry.