Proper Care for Veneers: A Comprehensive Guide
Dental veneers are a relatively quick cosmetic dental procedure that converts a dull smile into a fabulous one.
The good news? Usually, these only take our dentist two or three visits to perform.
More impressively, some veneer materials last for a decade or longer.
However, you can only achieve this lifespan with good oral hygiene and a bit of caution.
You want to maximize your investment by learning the proper veneer care before visiting Dr. Meng for a consultation.
Keep reading; this comprehensive guide will explain what you need to know.
What are veneers?
Dental veneersThis link leads to Dental Veneers page are thin, tooth-colored shields applied to the fronts of your teeth to alter their color, size, shape, or appearance.
They’re a popular cosmetic dental procedureThis link leads to Cosmetic dentistry page because they only take 2-3 visits to apply.
Not to mention, they last for quite some time, possibly a decade or longer.
Choosing porcelain veneers
Though other dental veneer materials are available, none benefit a patient quite like porcelain veneers.
They’re versatile enough to correct an array of problems, like other veneers, including:
- Stains
- Discoloration
- Small gaps
- Unevenly-sized or oddly-shaped teeth
- Chips
- Cracks
However, porcelain veneers are the longest-lasting and most natural-looking.
Proper care for your veneers
When you see the transformation veneers make, you’ll want to keep them as long as possible.
At Meng Dentistry, we recommend the following as proper care for dental veneers:
Brush them correctly
Brush your teeth, including the ones with veneers, at least twice daily to remove any bacteria and debris.
We suggest to all our patients with veneers to use the Bass technique, also known as the Sulcular technique.
Commonly, people brush in an up-and-down or circular motion, brushing each tooth’s surface.
However, the Bass method focuses on plaque removal below the gumline.
Ultimately, adequately removing bacteria and particulate matter from the teeth and underneath the gums protects your mouth against gum disease. Gum disease could lead to premature veneer failure.
Here’s how it works:
Begin with your toothbrush parallel to your teeth. The bristles should be slightly pointed toward the gums.
Position the brush so the bristles are underneath the gumline and are at a 45-degree angle.
Move the toothbrush in a circular motion in small areas at a time and perform 15 to 20 repetitions of this per section.
Make sure you brush the entire surface of each tooth.
Repeat this technique on the inside of your teeth.
Next, brush the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Finally, brush your tongue!
Check out this video for more tips:
Use a soft toothbrush
Over time, a medium- or hard-bristled toothbrush could wear down your veneers and natural teeth.
However, a soft-bristled toothbrush is gentle and won’t cause premature wear.
Make sure you avoid rough scrubbing.
Floss every day
Once per day, floss between all your teeth.
Carefully move the floss to avoid harming your veneers in any way.
Avoid teeth-staining foods & drinks
While porcelain veneers are relatively stain-resistant, they aren’t immune to discoloration, and your natural teeth can stain, so they no longer match.
So, rinse with water after any foods or beverages that can stain, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Tea
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Pasta with tomato-based sauces
- Dark berries
- Foods with dark dyes, like candy
If you drink any staining liquids, use a straw and rinse with water afterward.
Wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after eating acidic foods and ones that stain.
Avoid biting into hard foods & objects
Avoid biting into hard foods because they could chip or fracture your veneers. Examples include ice, hard candy, and nuts.
Never use your teeth as a tool or a way to open packages.
Quit smoking or chewing
Smokers and chewers should quit because the tar in the tobacco is not only harmful to your health, but it can discolor your veneers.
Moreover, tobacco increases your gum disease risk. And as mentioned above, this issue can cause your veneers to fail.
Visit us for regular checkups and cleanings
Getting regular checkups and cleanings can help keep your veneers in good condition. This will also make them last longer.
We examine your teeth for plaque and cavities around the veneers to prevent them from coming loose.
Plus, we can treat gingivitis before it turns into gum disease.
Dental cleanings can prevent both of these.
To summarize
Our office is here to make your smile healthy, bright, and beautiful.
Sometimes, that means a cosmetic dental procedure like veneers!
To keep your veneers looking their best, visit our office regularly and take good care of them by implementing the proper care for veneers.
Your restorations will stay intact for many years.
Call today for a consultation. We can see if veneers are the right treatment for your smile.
Or:
- Call us at: 316-943-2327
- Email us at: info@mengdentistry.com
You can still benefit from our dental expertise if you’re not in Wichita, KSThis link opens Google Maps. We’re close to Haysville, Derby, Andover, Newton, El Dorado, Winfield, Hutchinson, and Arkansas City.