How to take care of porcelain veneers

How to take care of porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers will improve your smile, but you need to look after them. Doing so means they could last 15 years or more.

Although veneers are highly resistant to stains, don’t decay and are durable, they’re not indestructible. Your natural teeth underneath can still develop cavities.

To get the most out of your investment, you’ll want to make sure they last. Here’s how to look after them:

Maintain good oral hygiene

Keeping your veneers clean is key to making them last. You should use a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste twice a day. Harsh or abrasive products can lead to dullness and damage. This will avoid scratching the surface of your veneers. You should clean all of the surfaces of your teeth, veneers included.

Flossing daily is also recommended. This removes plaque and food from between your teeth and around your veneers and helps to protect the gums and natural teeth underneath. A fluoride mouthwash can also help keep your mouth fresh and healthy. Ask your dentist which products they recommend for preserving the appearance of your veneers.

Avoid staining food and drink

To keep your porcelain veneers white, you should avoid food that stains. The worst culprits are coffee, tea, red wine and fizzy drinks. Dark sauces and brightly-coloured sweets can also leave stains. Try to limit these. If you do have them, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth afterwards. Using a straw for drinks can help reduce staining too.

As well as avoiding food that stains, you should avoid teeth whitening treatments. Your porcelain veneers were colour-matched to achieve a natural and uniform appearance—and they won’t respond to whitening treatments. You should avoid whitening products as they might result in uneven colouration and they could compromise the aesthetic appeal of your veneers.

Avoid hard and sticky foods

Veneers are strong but they’re not unbreakable. Biting into hard foods like nuts, hard sweets and even ice can cause them to crack or chip. Sticky foods like toffees or chewing gum can also pull at your veneers and loosen them. Nail biting is also damaging to veneers.

Never use your teeth to tear packaging or open bottles. It might seem like a quick solution but it can do serious damage. If you do sports or activities that could impact the face, be sure to wear a mouthguard. Equally, if you have a habit of grinding your teeth, you should wear a guard while sleeping. If you treat your veneers with care, they’ll lasts much longer.

Regular dental checkups

Regular dental checkups are recommended to all but especially if you have veneers. A checkup will help find issues early. Dentists can spot things like small chips and gum problems before they are noticeable or an issue to patients. If anything is spotted, it can be treated.

Having your teeth cleaned professionally will also keep your teeth and gums healthy. You should visit your dentist every six months—or as often as they recommend.

Address any issues promptly

If notice a chip, crack, feel your veneers are loose, don’t wait. You should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Small problems can get worse if they’re left untreated—and they can be much more expensive to fix too. Don’t try and repair issues yourself as this could lead to bigger problems!

Sensitivity or discomfort could also mean something isn’t quite right. A quick checkup can help fix the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

Ringway Dental veneers

If you’re considering porcelain veneers or would like to discuss your existing veneers with our team, contact us online or call us on 0161 437 2029.

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