Porcelain veneers are one of the best and most effective ways to improve the appearance of your smile. Of all the cosmetic dentistry procedures, veneers yield some of the best results when it comes to getting a straight, white smile.
Once your veneers are in, you’ll want to give them the best possible care to keep your smile dazzling. You’ll want to maintain excellent oral health habits as usual, by flossing daily and brushing at least twice daily. You should also continue to visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. Here are some other considerations to take into account when it comes to taking care of your veneers:
- Protect Them: In order to prevent any chipping, cracking, or other damage to your veneers, you’ll need to take extra care to protect them. This means avoiding biting down on any hard foods, and definitely not chewing on anything inedible like pens or fingernails. These habits can damage your veneers over time, and should definitely be avoided.
- Wear a Mouthguard: When playing sports, you should definitely wear a mouthguard over your front teeth to protect your veneers from any breakage or fractures.
- Watch out for Grinding: Many people grind their teeth and don’t even realize it. Grinding is unhealthy for a number of reasons, and can damage your veneers. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, let your dentist know. They can have a special night mouthguard created for you to keep your teeth safe.
- Avoid Stains: Take care to keep your veneers white and bright by avoiding food and drink that’s known to stain your teeth. Porcelain veneers are made to be stain resistant, but over time they can still stain or become discoloured. Avoid staining substances like cigarettes, coffee, tea, and red wine, to help maintain the appearance of your teeth longer. If you do consume any of these, be sure to brush your teeth right away afterwards.
- Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste: Some toothpastes contain ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda, to whiten your teeth. These are abrasive and can be damaging to veneers over time. Since your veneers will do the whitening work, and are stain-resistant, you won’t need the whitening toothpaste. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush as well, to avoid wearing at your veneers.
Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure, so it’s important to continue seeing your cosmetic dentist to have your veneers cleaned and polished. Your cosmetic dentist will have special equipment made for cleaning veneers and other dental implants. Veneers should be polished about every three months.
Unlike dental implants, veneers are not permanent. They will need to replaced after a specific period. The better care you take of them, the longer they will last.
If you’re considering getting veneers to improve your smile, book an appointment with our cosmetic dentistry team!