If you're considering porcelain veneers, it's important to understand just how important good dental hygiene is. Here's what we recommend:
Caring for veneers is the same as caring for regular teeth.
You should care for your veneers just as you would any other part of your body. They are made of the same material and have the same sensitivity to heat, cold, sweets, and other products.
Cleaning your veneers is one of the most important aspects of their maintenance because it is what keeps them looking good and helps prevent cavities or decay from forming on top of them. The best way to clean them is by brushing with a soft toothbrush along their gum line every day before brushing your natural teeth.
You should also use a dental floss threader to clean between them at least once per day. This will remove any food particles that may have gotten stuck in between them during the day. If you are experiencing sensitivity because of your veneers, try using toothpaste that does not contain fluoride or triclosan. These ingredients can cause more damage than good for sensitive teeth.
A major cause of veneer failure is a lack of care or the wrong type of care.
While veneers are very strong, they can be damaged by biting down on hard objects. This usually happens when a patient bites down on a piece of food or a hot drink.
If you're chewing on ice cubes and damage one of your veneers, it's possible that the tooth underneath could chip or break as well. If you grind your teeth while sleeping and damage one of your veneer edges, this can also cause problems with the underlying tooth structure.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush as hard bristles can damage the veneers.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Hard bristles can damage the veneers
- Soft bristles are gentler on the veneers, and more effective at removing plaque and food particles
Avoid biting down on anything hard.
- Don't bite down on things, such as fingernails or pen caps.
- Don't chew on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard objects.
- Avoid biting on toothpicks.
In addition to these general instructions for avoiding damage and wear to your veneers, it's also important to rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks like lemons and limes to minimize the risk of staining your veneer surface; however, it is not recommended that you brush immediately after eating these types of foods because doing so can cause micro-scratches on your newly placed veneer surfaces which will result in discoloration over time (refer back up).
Good dental hygiene will extend the life of your porcelain veneers and prevent complications that ultimately affect your teeth and gums.
As with any dental restoration, creating and maintaining a healthy environment for your porcelain veneers will ensure their longevity. Visit Belle Meade Dental at least twice per year for a checkup and cleaning.
Conclusion
If you take good care of your veneers, they’ll last a long time. In fact, many people don’t have any problems with their veneers for years at a time. But if you do have problems with your veneers, the best thing to do is call your dentist right away so they can be replaced or fixed.
Belle Meade Family Dental serves patients in Flowood, Brandon and the surrounding areas of Rankin County. We offer same-day crowns, cosmetic and restorative procedures, cleaning and prevention services, dental implants and tooth extraction. At Belle Meade Family Dental, we aim to provide the ultimate patient experience with the highest level of quality care.