If you’ve got dental veneers, chances are you got them to restore your smile to its bright, beautiful best. It’s probably safe to assume that keeping your veneers at their best is also a priority.
Properly caring for dental veneers goes a long way toward ensuring their day-to-day radiance and functionality, as well as their longevity. Here are a few essential tips for effectively and efficiently caring for your veneers.
Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
Like natural teeth, dental veneers require regular cleaning to retain their integrity and visual appeal. This includes brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to prevent plaque buildup, flossing just as often to remove food particles from between your teeth and around your veneers, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate harmful bacteria.
When brushing, it’s important to employ a smooth, gentle, circular motion to avoid damaging your veneers’ porcelain or resin material. You might also consider using a non-abrasive toothpaste, as traditional, abrasive toothpaste can scratch the surfaces of veneers over time.
Avoid Damaging Habits
Certain habits can harm dental veneers and shorten their lifespan. These include chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, or fingernails. All these habits ought to be avoided as they can cause chips or cracks in veneers. Additionally, if you grind your teeth while sleeping (“bruxism”), speak with your dentist about getting a nightguard to protect both your veneers and natural teeth from the stress of grinding.
Finally, from a cosmetic perspective, limiting your intake of staining foods and beverages like red wine, coffee, tea, and red berries will help your veneers maintain their visual appeal.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular checkups are crucial for keeping veneers in good shape, as they allow a dentist to monitor their condition and check for signs of wear and damage to the bonding material. Professional cleanings also remove buildup that brushing and flossing alone cannot.
If you notice any discomfort, shifting, or visible damage to your veneers, schedule an appointment immediately to prevent further damage.
Precisely Placing Porcelain Veneers in Goffstown, NH
If you’re looking for a dentist in the Goffstown area with expertise in placing dental veneers and helping patients maximize their lifespans, contact Dr. Danielle Leonardi and the friendly and knowledgeable Glen Lake Dental team to schedule a consultation!