With proper care, porcelain veneers can last you a very long time. However, for your smile to last you a long time, it requires proper care. Here are some important care rules for your veneers.
Let’s go over these tips on how to take care of your porcelain veneers to keep your smile healthy and bright for a long time!
1. Regularly Brush Your Teeth and Use an Irrigator
Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and spend half a minute on each quarter of your jaw. Keep in mind the correct brushing technique for veneers – clean them just like your natural teeth, holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline and gently move it up and down to clean the outer surface of the teeth. Avoid using excessive force.
Refrain from using a toothpaste with large abrasive particles to avoid scratching the surface of the veneers.
Pay special attention to the interdental spaces, and clean them with an irrigator. Be careful when using dental floss to not damage the gums as well as the veneers themselves.
After each meal or snack, use a fluoride mouthwash to clean your mouth from food residues.
2. Prevent gum disease
Insufficient oral hygiene can lead to the buildup of tartar in your mouth, which can result in gum inflammation and slight gum recession. The mucous membrane can pull away from the veneer, exposing the tooth roots.
Treating the soft tissues might require gum surgery or even removing the veneer. Therefore, it’s crucial not to ignore any signs of gum inflammation such as bleeding, swelling, or pain. If you experience any of these symptoms; schedule an appointment with your dentist.
3. Use Your Teeth for Eating Only
Teeth are designed solely for chewing food and showing off that beautiful smile. They should not be used as tools for opening bottles, tearing clothing labels, and so on.
Especially dangerous to those with porcelain veneers, these harmful habits can lead to the appearance of cracks or chips on the veneer. The veneer would need to be removed and replaced with a new one.
Avoid exerting excessive pressure on your front teeth, and avoid extreme temperature differences in your food.
4. Pay attention to signs of bruxism
It’s best to correct an improper bite and restore the normal function of the temporomandibular joints before getting ceramic veneers placed.
If you’ve had ceramic veneers placed without prior treatment for bruxism, we recommend you wear a protective night guard while sleeping. Otherwise, due to constant involuntary teeth grinding at night, the veneers can deteriorate.
5. Be Mindful of Fibrous Foods
Fibers often get easily stuck in the gaps between your teeth. When this happens, carefully remove them with dental floss. If something gets stuck between your teeth, it’s better to use an irrigator. It not only does a good job at cleaning the interdental spaces, but also massages the gums.
6. Use a soft toothbrush
We recommend the safe use of electrical toothbrushes. Consult us about the safest electric toothbrush for your porcelain veneers.
Thoughtful and consistent brushing will ensure the health of your teeth, and ensure that your veneers last you a very long time!
7. Avoid Excessive Force
With porcelain veneers, it’s not advisable to test the limits of your bite. Be careful when chewing on sunflower seeds, nails, or cracking nuts and be mindful of how much pressure you exert when biting.
8. Visit the Dentist for Regular Check-ups and Cleanings
Even with diligent at-home care of your veneers, the formation of soft and hard deposits on their external and internal surfaces cannot be entirely avoided. It is essential you come to the dental office for professional teeth cleaning at least once or twice a year.
