What are dental veneers?
Porcelain dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that cover imperfections to change their overall appearance. They can change the shape, size, length, and colour of your teeth. Patients who have discoloured, broken, chipped, or gapped teeth may find that they are more confident in their smiles after treatment.
Even though porcelain veneers are very durable, if you want them to last a long time, you must take proper care of them. If properly maintained, they have the potential to last for 10-15 years or even longer. Here are some pointers to help you care for and maintain your porcelain veneers properly.
How to Take Care of Your Veneers
If you want your veneers to last, you must take care of them. While it pays to be extra mindful about certain things, no special care is required to keep your veneers in good shape. In fact, if you follow these guidelines, caring for your veneers should be a breeze.
Practice good oral hygiene.
If you already have a solid dental hygiene routine, you probably 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 - To rinse your mouth, swish some antiseptic mouthwash around it once or twice a day. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash because excessive alcohol exposure can soften the adhesive agents. While this softening will not cause the veneers to fall off, it may make them more prone to staining and wear.
Avoid grinding your teeth.
Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth while sleeping, and it is a bad habit for patients who have veneers because it causes them a lot of stress. It's also bad for your teeth and jaw joints, so if you suspect you grind your teeth, see your dentist right away. A nighttime bite guard can be fitted by your dentist. Wearing this device while sleeping will keep your veneers safe.
Don't chew items that will damage teeth.
Veneers are relatively durable, but they are prone to chipping and breaking. While normal foods should be fine, it's best to avoid chewing on extremely hard materials such as pens, fingernails, ice, and bones.
Protect your smile from damage.
Physical activity is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, but basketball, football, wrestling, and other contact sports can jeopardize the health of your new smile. To avoid damage to your veneers and natural teeth, consult your dentist about wearing a sports mouthguard.
Be mindful of stains.
Because veneers, like natural teeth, can stain, it's a good idea to avoid foods that are known to cause discoloration, such as coffee, red wine, dark sodas, tea, curry, and berries. Another habit that can cause stains is smoking, so if you smoke, you should think about quitting; not only will it improve your overall health, but it will also help keep your veneers white and bright.
Routinely visit your dentist.
People who want healthy teeth must have regular dental checkups. Making it a point to visit your dentist every six months will help to protect both your teeth and your veneers by ensuring that any potential problems are identified and treated before they become larger issues. Furthermore, your dentist or dental hygienist will polish your veneers to keep their pearly-white gleam.