Dental veneers are cosmetic dental treatments that use shells of composite or porcelain to cover single discolored or damaged teeth. After you receive your dental veneers, you want to keep them as bright as possible. Dental veneers can address many problems, including tooth discoloration, and it’s important to keep veneers white for many years. Veneers can completely transform the smile and help patients meet their cosmetic goals. Here we will review helpful tips to keep your porcelain veneers looking new at home and in our Wayne, PA, dental office.
Tips to Maintain Porcelain Veneers in Wayne, PA
It’s important to care for your dental veneers to ensure that they last as long as possible. Follow these tips to maintain your dental veneers:
Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
Like your natural teeth, dental veneers require brushing and flossing to stay bright and healthy. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid toothpaste that contains abrasive materials like charcoal or silica derivatives because these materials can scratch and damage the veneers. Continuing a good oral hygiene routine can also prevent problems like gum disease.
Remember the Gums
When you care for your smile, remember to floss and gently brush your gums. Dental veneers leave the gums exposed, which means that you can still be prone to problems like bleeding gums and even periodontitis or gum disease. When gum disease begins, harmful bacteria irritate and inflame the gum tissue. Over time, gum disease can lead to receding gums, which also compromise the natural teeth beneath veneers. Keeping the teeth and gums healthy can prevent harmful bacteria from affecting the stability of the natural smile and cosmetic treatments like veneers.
Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks
Some foods and drinks contain chromogens or dyes that enter natural teeth and create stains. Although veneers are stain-resistant, consuming these foods and drinks over the years can eventually discolor veneers. We will recommend avoiding staining foods and drinks the first few weeks after you receive your veneers. Typically, composite veneers are easier to stain than porcelain veneers.
Be Aware of Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding, often occurs unconsciously during sleep. If you wake up with headaches, tooth pain, or jaw pain, you may clench and grind your teeth unconsciously during sleep. We will not recommend veneers for patients with bruxism. However, if you already have veneers and suspect that you have bruxism, please get in touch with our office. Teeth clenching and grinding can damage your veneers.
Are you interested in veneers? Do you have questions about how to care for your dental veneers? Call Wayne Family Dentistry today at 610-347-5133. You can also schedule a dental appointment in our office online. Please let us know if you have current concerns or questions about your veneers. We’re here to help you.