Everybody deserves to love the way they smile. Teeth come in many different shapes and sizes, and everyone’s mouth is different. For some, the thought of exposing all of their teeth in a smile for a photograph is unbearable. This could be due to misalignments, missing or broken teeth, or even discoloration. While all of these things are natural, there are ways to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your teeth while also promoting good dental health. One option is dental veneers. They can restore brilliance to your smile, you need to know how to take care of dental veneers.
Dr. Justin Raanan, your trusted Beverly Hills periodontist, offers beautiful porcelain veneers as a part of your cosmetic dentistry journey. The procedure itself is quick and easy, requiring no pain or invasive tactics. As you live with your new tooth coverings, you’ll want to make sure they are properly maintained. Follow the steps below to keep your pearly whites pearly and white for years to come!
Brush and Floss Twice a Day
Some people who invest in veneers think that they don’t need to be cleaned since they aren’t real teeth. However, the truth of the matter is that they are on the front of your teeth, and they touch everything that you put into your mouth. Just as you should brush twice a day, you should also be brushing your veneers twice a day as a part of your dental health regime.
Don’t Eat Hard Things
Dental veneers are just as sensitive as natural teeth, if not more so. We have all been guilty of using our teeth to open packages or rip a lid off of a container, but these are things that you cannot do if you have dental veneers. Tough objects such as plastic or metal are prone to chipping the porcelain of your veneers just like they can chip off your actual teeth. If you want to take care of dental veneers, avoid these.
Use Gel Toothpaste
Not all toothpaste is the same. There are some toothpaste products that you should not use, as the abrasiveness of the chemicals can be damaging to your porcelain veneers. According to a study performed by Delta Dental Insurance, certain gel toothpaste products are safer to use as they do not contain harmful substances.
To take care of dental veneers, some of the ingredients and chemicals you need to avoid include:
- Baking soda
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Toothpaste with “whitening” components
There are plenty of non-abrasive toothpaste products that you can choose between that contain safe ingredients that will enhance the health of your veneers and your natural teeth.
Don’t Drink Too Much
Too much alcohol softens the bonding components of the porcelain veneers, making them more susceptible to damage and discoloration. To avoid early deterioration, it is a good idea to hold back on drinking.
But we don’t just mean alcoholic beverages. All types of alcohol, including the kind that you can find in some brands of toothpaste and mouthwash, are bad for your veneers. Make sure that the next product you buy does not contain any alcohol.
Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
There are lots of different toothbrushes out there, and you can choose one that you are most comfortable with. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are recommended; however, make sure that the brush you ultimately select does not have hard bristles. The harder the toothbrush, the more likely it is to scratch up your veneers, which may have lasting damage.
Don’t Forget to Visit Your Periodontist!
It’s important to follow up with your trusted periodontist regularly. Not only is it a good idea to continuously assess the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums, but it is also helpful for your periodontist to get a good look at the state of your veneers. If you run into a problem and your veneers are chipped, a regular office visit can help fix the problem right away. The longer you go without seeing your dental professional, the more likely you are to suffer more permanent damages.
Learn more about Dr. Justin Rannan and our porcelain veneer services by contacting us online. You can also give us a call at (310) 205-5315 to schedule an appointment or to ask about a consultation for dental veneers. We look forward to seeing you soon!
5 stars based on 100+ reviews