If you have received dental veneers in downtown Toronto, you already appreciate how they can change the level of your smile. They can return the teeth to a smooth, uniform, and natural appearance, but like your real teeth, veneers can stay looking their best if you provide them with the proper care. They can dull, stain, and break just like your original teeth. You are fortunate that there are a few daily habits and precautions you can consider to care for your veneers.
Why Care for your Veneers
Veneers are strong, but they are not invincible. By neglecting to care for them, they can chip, crack, or wear down. Even while veneers don’t rot and decay as real teeth do, if you don’t clean and floss your teeth every day, the natural tooth structure behind the veneers may still get cavities and gum disease. Caring for your veneers is about more than just the veneers looking good; it is about caring for the entire smile.
Daily Care for Veneers
Here is how to maintain dental veneers and keep them strong, clean, and beautiful.
Gently Brush your Teeth Twice Daily
Always use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching the surface of the veneer. You should brush at least twice per day, ensuring that you brush all sides of your teeth. By gently brushing your veneers, not only will you keep them shiny, but you will also be protecting your gums and the teeth that support the veneers.
Floss Daily
Flossing will remove plaque and food between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. If you have plaque between your teeth, it could develop gum irritation and decay on the natural teeth structure under your veneers.
Rinse After Staining Foods and Drinks
Coffee, tea, wine, and darkly pigmented foods can stain your natural teeth and might even dull the polish on your veneers with time. To reduce the possibility of discoloration, rinse your mouth with water after using these items.
Use caution and don’t use your teeth like tools
Your teeth are not designed to handle objects, tear packaging, or open bottles. This can fracture or chip your veneers, which repair work could have saved the headache from.
Wear a mouth guard if you grind your teeth
If you grind or clench your teeth (especially at night), a mouth guard will help protect your veneers from excessive pressure and wear. If you think you have this habit, speak with a dentist near you.
Foods and habits to watch for
Even though your veneers are strong, certain foods or activities do pose risks.
- Hard foods: Ice, hard candy, or popcorn kernels can chip them.
- Sticky foods: Taffy or caramel can lift the edges.
- Acidic foods and drinks: If consumed too often, citrus juices and sodas can erode the bonding material.
- Nail biting or pen chewing: Don’t do this. This is pressure you don’t need to be adding to your veneers.
By being mindful about what you eat and looking after your bad habits, you are still practicing oral care that could easily be long-lasting dental care, protecting your smile.
Regular Dental Visits Are Key
Like natural teeth, veneers also require professional follow-ups. Your dentist can do the following for you:
- Check for broken chips, cracked areas, and loose veneers
- Polish them so they shine like new
- Make sure your bite is still in alignment
- Check for gingival health and prevention of cavities
These visits are also beneficial so that your dentist can catch any issues before they require costly repairs.
What if a Veneer Gets Damaged
If you discover that you have broken a chip or cracked it, or your veneer is loose, do not chew on that side of your mouth and contact the dental clinic immediately. Do not try to fix it yourself, or you run the risk of doing more damage. Professional repair keeps the veneer intact and your smile uniform.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Veneers can endure for ten to fifteen years or more with the right maintenance. Regular dentist visits, appropriate oral hygiene, and everyday habits can leave a considerable wear life on your veneer. Adhering to the care guidelines will allow you to maximize the value of your expense while also keeping your smile bright for as long as possible!
Keep Your Smile Shining with Rusholme Family Dentistry
A beautiful smile is worth protecting. At Rusholme Family Dentistry, we see caring for veneers in a much broader context than just having them look good; instead, we see it best by caring for your entire mouth. When you visit our friendly and professional team for your dental needs—whether it be a general cleaning, a veneer check-up or advice on how to look after your smile we will treat you the same way we treat all of our patients, like family.
If it’s been some time since you have been in for a visit, don’t wait; the time is now to make an appointment! Call Rusholme Family Dentistry and take the first step toward a brighter smile today because every smile deserves to endure for a lifetime.