In reality, many people have neglected to keep an oral hygiene routine, resulting in common dental problems like tooth decay, cracked teeth, cavities, and gaps between teeth, making your natural teeth even more vulnerable to severe problems. Dental veneers are one way to mask these problems; they have become popular in cosmetic dentistry because of their advantages for the aesthetic purposes of the teeth. Getting porcelain veneers involves proper care to keep your mouth and teeth healthy and a long-lasting lifespan of the veneers.
In this article, we’ll go over aftercare tips and how to avoid some common mistakes when taking care of your teeth after a procedure, like getting dental veneers.
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What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, plastic shells that can be placed over teeth to improve their appearance. They have a wide variety of uses, but the most common is to cover up chipped, crooked or misshapen teeth. People also use them to treat discoloured teeth when some teeth whitening products don’t work as well as they wanted. Veneers are a dental procedure that is less invasive than other methods, giving an instantly brighter smile. The procedure doesn’t affect other parts of your mouth or your healthy natural teeth. It can be performed alongside various other dental treatments, such as tooth whitening, bonding, and even root canal therapy.
This cosmetic dental treatment is a great way to fix your teeth and give you the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted. They’re also known as porcelain or composite veneers, depending on what type of material they’re made out of. The cost of dental veneers can be high. However, the advantages can outweigh the cost, as they can be an excellent investment in the long run, keeping teeth looking and feeling natural.
Learn More: What Are Veneers: Everything You Need To Know
How to Take Care of Dental Veneers
Some people get dental veneers because their teeth are not aligned correctly or have stains from coffee. They want a more uniform look, which often means correcting any gaps between the teeth and repairing discolouration of the tooth surface. Most cosmetic dentists recommend essential guidelines to keep them effective and give you a dazzling smile.
Use a Soft Toothbrush
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made pieces of porcelain or composite resin attached to the front teeth surface. The harsh bristles of a toothbrush can damage them. A soft-bristled brush is much more gentle and will keep your new teeth looking nice. The abrasive particles in some toothpaste also break down surface coatings, so ask for recommendations from your dentist before using any product on them!
Proper Oral Hygiene
You shouldn’t neglect your veneers and look after them as you would natural teeth. Like your real teeth, dental veneers are just as susceptible to plaque and bacterial build-up that leads to tooth decay and gum disease. It is essential for you to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash, brush them regularly, and floss at least once a day.
In addition, aggressive brushing and unsafe dental care can lead to gum recession. This process is when your gums start receding from around the teeth, revealing the junction between your teeth and the veneer.
Avoid Food & Drink that Can Stain Your Veneers
Some dental veneers like porcelain are stain-resistant, but the bonding agent glued to the tooth surface is not resistant to staining. It could cause the edges of veneers to become yellowish. It is essential to avoid foods and drinks that can be prone to staining them. These are sodas, coffee, red wine, tomato-based pasta, and soy sauce.
Avoid Teeth Grinding
When you grind your teeth while sleeping, it can cause excessive pressure and potentially chipping. If this is a problem for you, consider talking to your dentist about getting fitted with a mouthguard that will protect the veneers on top of them from damage. It is recommended that the mouth guard be worn before bedtime.
Frequent Dental Checkups
Professional cleanings and checkups are essential to your dental health. Thus, visiting the dentist once every six months for a regular check-and-clean session is highly recommended to remove plaque buildup that regular toothbrushes can not remove. During these appointments, ask your dental professional if you should be concerned about any distortions of veneers and to make sure that the teeth have not been chipped, loosened or twisted in any way, which could lead to decay.
Avoid Chewing on Objects
Veneers are relatively durable, but they can chip and break. Avoid chewing on anything hard, such as pens, nails, ice cubes, and bones, to prevent this from happening.
Avoid Smoking
Consuming tobacco products harms your health, but you might not be aware of the damage it can do to porcelain veneers. Additionally, tobacco use impacts natural teeth in the same way. If you want to protect your appearance and live a healthy life, then quitting bad habits such as smoking will help maintain both aspects of your oral hygiene!
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers are a great way to get that perfect smile you have been dreaming of. Traditional veneers have the significant advantage of being versatile and durable. They can last between 10-15 years, depending on how well they’re maintained, so it’s essential to follow some guidelines when caring for your veneers and visit your dentist for your oral health as well.
Learn More: The Purpose of Dental Veneers and How Long They Last
Final Thoughts
It is essential to take care of your veneers after they have been applied, and it’s also necessary for you to visit your dentist regularly. Porcelain Veneers are highly durable as long as they’re taken good care of; they can last ten years or more depending on how you take care of them.
Your teeth are a window into your overall health. Therefore, it’s vital to visit the dentist at least once every six months for dental checkups and cleanings, not only to keep your teeth clean but also to identify any underlying problems as soon as possible.
Do not forget that the success of a dental restoration has everything to do with how well it is cared for! If you have any questions or are looking for dental treatments and checkups, we have experts at Burwood Dental Care. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at 03 7003 2011.