Dental Care Tips for Making Your Veneers Last the Longest
July 22, 2024
Veneers are an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure in the US. They’re a cost-effective way to get the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of, and if you get your veneers in our Sioux City dental office, they’re long-lasting, accompanying you for several years to come.
Still, using durable materials isn’t all there is to make your dental veneers last the longest. There are certain practices you can enforce to ensure that your cosmetic procedure lasts the longest. In this article, we’ll cover some of them.
5 Long-Term Care Tips for Veneers
1. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
In addition to being essential components of good oral hygiene, regular brushing and flossing also helps make your veneers last. It is essential that you brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste at least twice a day, being extra careful to clean the areas surrounding your veneers thoroughly.
Flossing is just as important because it cleans the spaces between teeth—including those that a toothbrush might find challenging to reach—and removes food particles and plaque. By preventing plaque accumulation, you can lower your chance of issues that could shorten the life of your veneers.
2. Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages
Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries are a few examples of foods and drinks that can eventually discolor veneer surfaces and affect how they look. Even though cutting these foods out of your diet might be difficult, you can lessen their effects by eating them in moderation and rinsing your mouth with water immediately after.
3. Wear a Mouthguard
Over time, bruxism—also known as teeth grinding and clenching—can wear and damage veneers. If this is your case, wearing a custom mouthguard can protect your veneers.
By acting as a cushion, a mouthguard keeps veneers from coming into direct contact with teeth by absorbing the forces created by teeth grinding.
4. Attend Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental exams are necessary to track and preserve the condition of your veneers and overall oral health. During these visits, your dentist will evaluate the integrity of your veneers, looking for any indications of wear, deterioration, or damage.
If plaque builds up, professional cleanings can help remove it and protect your teeth from tooth decay.
5. Don't Use Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth are designed for eating, speaking, and nothing else. Using them as tools can damage a tooth’s integrity and erode its enamel, but if you have veneers, it’s even more dangerous.
You run the risk of damaging or dislodging your veneers if you use excessive force on them, such as when you bite into hard objects or rip open packages. Instead, use the right utensils or tools for the job.
Learn More About Veneers in Sioux City
Dental veneers are a fantastic procedure—but they don’t last forever. If your veneers chip or breaks, it’s time to visit our Wheelock and Associates dental offices for a checkup and replace the ones that have any damage.
Nevertheless, with these care tips, you can ensure that it takes a little bit longer for that time to come, if you want to learn more about care tips for your teeth, give us a call!