Dental veneers rank among the most popular and cost-effective procedures available today, as they are incredibly affordable and successful. As a simple restorative technique, dentists use veneers to effectively restore broken or chipped teeth while enhancing the overall cosmetic appearance of the mouth. Although they don’t serve as complete tooth replacements, dental veneers provide your mouth with a fresh, appealing façade, boosting your confidence and satisfaction with your smile. Below we cover how to extend the lifespan of dental veneers.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Dental Veneers
While veneers prove durable, proactive measures you can take may maximize their longevity and prevent potential breakage or damage over time. Today, your friendly dental experts at West First Dental will show you how to extend the lifespan of dental veneers through simple daily hygiene and other practices.
Maintain a Regular Dental Visit Schedule
Following the installation of your new veneers, your dentist will conduct periodic check-ups to ensure everything progresses smoothly. If your veneers were not properly installed, or if they have gotten damaged, you might start to feel uncomfortable with them. Veneers can also become discolored as a sign that something is wrong. Regardless of their current condition, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist every six months for a thorough check-up – even if nothing is wrong.
Don’t Forget Daily Brushing and Flossing
Our West First Dental experts cannot reiterate the importance of daily brushing enough. This routine gains added significance when you have veneers, as you need to maintain a clean and healthy surface to prevent germs and stains. Dental experts recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, but ideally, you should be brushing after each meal. Additionally, floss between your teeth once a day to remove food particles and maintain the cleanliness, whiteness, brightness, and structural integrity of your veneers.
Cut Your Tooth-Grinding Habits
If you’re grappling with bruxism or a similar condition involving frequent teeth grinding or clenching, you might be in more dental danger than you know. Bruxism poses a big threat to both your veneers and natural teeth. Not only can tooth grinding wear away at your enamel and gums, but it can also permanently damage your veneers.
Get in touch with your local dentist regarding bruxism and explore potential treatments to mitigate teeth grinding at night. One option to prevent teeth grinding involves using a nightguard to ensure your teeth don’t grind against each other. You will have to wear the nightguard while you sleep, as most grinding happens subconsciously.
Avoid Hard and Staining Foods
Although porcelain veneers are designed for durability, they are not immune to stains. Particularly, ones that can come from dark-colored foods or the chips that can come from biting down on something hard. Chewing on inedible objects can lead to irreversible damage that will be too expensive to fix. Refrain from eating non-mouth objects like plastic lids, fingernails, or pencils.
Additionally, certain foods and beverages have the potential to stain your teeth. Common culprits include dark chocolate, coffee, tea, and tobacco, all of which can cause your teeth to darken and become discolored. Veneers, like natural teeth, can also stain and do not endlessly resist discoloration. You cannot get tooth whitening for your veneers, so it’s important to keep them as bright and white as possible.
Prioritize Your Oral Health with Custom-Made Veneers
Porcelain veneers provide an attractive and cost-effective solution to correct a discolored or misaligned smile. Having a new set of front teeth, even if only on the surface, can significantly boost your confidence, helping you feel better about the way you look. Learn more about extending the lifespan of your veneers and sign up for a customized appointment when you contact us online, by phone, or in person at your earliest convenience.