Dental veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are designed to mimic the appearance of natural teeth. To maximize their effectiveness, patients should learn how to care for them. These appliances are used to enhance the appearance of the smile by covering flaws, such as broken, discolored, chipped, or gapped teeth. With proper care, such dental work can last for 10 to 15 years.
A consistent maintenance routine can help prevent this dental work from becoming damaged or changing in appearance. These eight guidelines can help patients properly care for dental veneers:
The dental work itself will not decay, but without a consistent oral hygiene routine, the exposed portions of the teeth may. Patients should brush the teeth twice per day, rinse with mouthwash after every meal, and floss daily.
Veneers are not as strong as natural teeth. Chewing on hard objects, such as fingernails, pens, pencils, or ice, can damage dental work.
While these appliances are stain-resistant, the material used to attach the dental work to the teeth is not. Consuming foods that cause stains, such as tea, coffee, or soda, can result in the edges of the veneers becoming dark or yellow.
Using a toothbrush with hard bristles or abrasive toothpaste can damage the polish on dental work. Use a soft-bristled brush and consult with a dentist about safe kinds of whitening toothpaste. To keep the shade of the natural teeth matching the veneers, a whitening toothpaste is recommended, but avoid toothpastes that contain gritty substances. A dentist can provide a tutorial on how to clean the teeth without damaging the dental appliance.
Visiting a dentist for a checkup every six months helps keep the teeth and gums healthy and provides the dentist with an opportunity to inspect the dental work and make any needed repairs or adjustments. The patient also can address any concerns that may have arisen.
Grinding and clenching teeth can severely damage the porcelain in dental work. Patients who have issues with grinding or clenching the teeth should discuss treatment options with a dentist.
Smoking can lead to stains and discoloration. To avoid damaging the dental appliance, do not use tobacco products.
Gum disease can cause the gums to recede. Receding gums may partially expose the appliance, degrading the overall appearance of the smile. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits can protect against gum disease.
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Following these eight tips for proper maintenance of your dental veneers can help you avoid premature wear and tear, stains, and other issues that could shorten the life of the dental appliance and degrade the appearance of the smile. A dentist can provide additional guidance if needed.
Request an appointment or call Rivers Family Dentistry at 979-710-2216 for an appointment in our Bryan office.
Having a beautiful smile is crucial for many people. However, not everyone is pleased with their smile. Veneers are a wonderful treatment option that can be used to help improve the appearance of teeth. These thin, tooth-colored shells are typically made out of porcelain and cover the entire surface of the tooth.Veneers are customized and…
People who are uncomfortable about small gaps between their teeth can use veneers to erase the extra spaces and bring uniformity back to their mouth. Cosmetic dentistry can restore both function and appearance to teeth when trauma, loss, or discoloring has occurred. Rather than avoiding social interaction, family pictures, or the occasional selfie, look into…
Dental veneers are common restorations that are used to change the size, shape, or color of teeth. These can be made of porcelain or resin and are most commonly used on the front teeth. When these restorations are placed, there is a margin between the tooth and the porcelain or resin material. This can leave…
Having a beautiful smile is crucial for many people. However, not everyone is pleased with their smile. Veneers are a wonderful treatment option that can be used to help improve the appearance of teeth. These thin, tooth-colored shells are typically made out of porcelain and cover the entire surface of the tooth.Veneers are customized and…
People who are uncomfortable about small gaps between their teeth can use veneers to erase the extra spaces and bring uniformity back to their mouth. Cosmetic dentistry can restore both function and appearance to teeth when trauma, loss, or discoloring has occurred. Rather than avoiding social interaction, family pictures, or the occasional selfie, look into…