It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when porcelain veneers transform your smile. Seeing previously dark and stained teeth become pearly white post-treatment can feel amazing. You might even believe they could last a lifetime without any care. Such shiny material wouldn’t grow dull, right?
However, these porcelain layers require maintenance to stay functional. That being the case, here are four ways to extend the lifespan of your veneers.
Clean Your Veneers Properly
Like regular teeth, porcelain veneers require you to brush at least twice daily, floss once daily and rinse with mouthwash after meals. You wouldn’t want food particles stuck around them that could harm surrounding teeth.
At the same time, you must ensure that you’re brushing the veneers properly. Being aggressive or forceful when cleaning them could cause chips or cracks. Furthermore, veneers do better with gentler toothpaste rather than rougher ones. While grittier toothpaste removes surface stains on natural teeth, it damages porcelain with abrasive substances.
Avoid Injury, Hard Biting & Grinding
To preserve your veneers, don’t expose them to excessive force. For example, wear a mouthguard when playing sports to prevent chipping or cracking from injury. Similarly, you shouldn’t use your teeth to open packages or loose knots. Avoid hard foods like ice or hard candy since chewing these could cause your veneers to chip or crack.
Keep in mind that you might clench or grind your teeth unconsciously. If you do, your dentist could give you a bite guard to wear to bed that prevents veneer damage.
Regularly See Your Dentist
It’d be best if you still visit your dentist regularly for cleaning and examination. Though veneers won’t suffer deterioration and decay like tooth enamel, you still need healthy teeth and gums to support long-lasting veneers.
You might need further cosmetic treatment as well. Veneers resist staining from certain foods and drinks, but the same doesn’t apply to natural teeth. If the latter start to yellow, there’ll be an unsightly difference between them and your white veneers. Luckily, dentists supply services like professional teeth whitening and direct bonding to hide unwanted marks and colors.
With good and proper care, porcelain veneers can last over fifteen or even twenty years. Make sure your own reach that point by following the tips above!
About the Practice
JL Dental is based in Arnold, MO, and is led by husband-and-wife team Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears. Their practice is noteworthy for using ultramodern technology like intraoral cameras, digital X-rays, and dental lasers to enhance treatment effectiveness. They offer preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, not to mention emergency dental services. Overall, the team will do whatever it can to ensure patients receive healthy, beautiful smiles. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (636)-464-6668.