Chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth often cause embarrassment and may get worse with time, causing many people to avoid smiling. Porcelain veneers are an excellent way to restore your smile. These thin shells are customized to suit your goals and placed over one or more existing teeth. The porcelain mimics the sheen of your tooth enamel, giving you a cosmetic improvement that looks both stunning and natural. When it comes to caring for your new porcelain veneers, our Salt Lake City dentist has several tips.
Proper Dental Hygiene & Regular Exams
The first and most effective way to care for your porcelain veneers is daily brushing and flossing just like your given teeth. Brush twice a day and use dental floss daily, or at least several times a week. That way you can avoid gum disease and other issues that cause your gums to recede, which can reveal the edges of the veneers, affecting the aesthetic and putting the surface at risk of chipping or detachment.
It’s also essential to choose the right toothpaste and toothbrush. You don’t want an abrasive toothpaste that could degrade the surface of your veneers. Pick a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid hurting both your natural teeth and veneers and make sure you have at least bi-annual dental exams and cleanings at Warr Dental.
Don’t Bite or Chew on Hard Objects
Using your teeth as a tool is never a good idea. Whether it’s opening something with your teeth such as a bottle or cap or chewing on ice, pens, and other hard objects, you’re at risk of harming your teeth and veneers including chips, cracks, and complete veneer detachment. Listen to Dr. Warr’s instructions to ensure your porcelain veneers are long-lasting.
Adjust Your Eating and Alcohol Habits
Hard foods are another thing to avoid after you get porcelain veneers. Hard chips, meat with bones, and some raw fruits and vegetables can make your teeth vulnerable to chipping and cracking. Foods and drinks with excessive acidic and sugary foods and beverages increase your risk of tooth decay, which is terrible for your entire oral health. Food coloring found in some snacks, meals, and drinks could lead to porcelain veneer discoloration, though veneers are resistant to stains for the most part. Alcohol can also soften the bonding materials used to attach the veneers to the surface of your teeth can come loose, risking deterioration, and damage. That applies to toothpaste and mouthwash as well.
Watch Out for Teeth Grinding Tendencies
Bruxism is a common problem and teeth grinding can impact not just the appearance of your teeth and porcelain veneers but completely alter your bite, causing issues such as a TMJ disorder. Our dentist can help you address this issue, which may involve a mouth guard worn while you sleep. A mouth guard is also an excellent idea for contact sports such as wrestling, football, boxing, and other activities that involve strong physical force.
Schedule Your Dental Exam at Warr Dental for Porcelain Veneers
If you’re interested in porcelain veneers or another cosmetic dentistry option, please contact Warr Dental in Salt Lake City today at (801) 355-5385. We serve patients in nearby areas of Utah, including Draper and West Valley City.
