Transforming your smile with dental veneers can completely change how you interact with the world. Now that you’ve seen your beautiful new smile, you’ll want to protect your results so they last as long as possible! Whether you saw our team or another veneer dentist in Santa Rosa, our team is here to keep your smile looking and feeling great.
These simple tips for how to take care of dental veneers will help your results last and prevent problems with veneer teeth.
How to Take Care of Veneers
There are several different materials we can use to make dental veneers, each of which needs slightly different levels of upkeep. However, they all benefit from the same basic care instructions.
1. Chew carefully.
Veneers are strong and durable, but they’re not indestructible. Composite resin veneers (also called cosmetic dental bonding) are susceptible to chipping. Even porcelain veneers with their superior strength may become dislodged if you put too much pressure on them.
With dental veneers, it’s best to avoid biting directly into food such as crusty bread, sandwiches, or chicken wings. Whenever possible, try to cut food into smaller pieces rather than biting with your front teeth and pulling.
It’s essential to avoid habits that put extra force on your front teeth, like chewing on pens or fingernails, opening packages with your teeth, or biting thread or tags to remove them.
A little caution goes a long way toward protecting your investment!
2. Avoid abrasive toothpaste.
Whether you have porcelain, prepless, or composite veneers, abrasive toothpaste can damage their surface and make them look dull. It can also allow your veneers to become stained or dingy, especially with composite dental bonding.
Avoid harsh products and abrasive agents such as:
- Baking soda
- Whitening ingredients
- Tartar control ingredients
- Charcoal
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth is usually less abrasive. If possible, look for a toothpaste with a Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score below 70.
3. Keep your veneers clean.
Although your veneers themselves can’t get cavities, the natural tooth underneath the veneer still can! Poor plaque control can compromise the bond between the veneer and the underlying tooth, and cause inflamed gums, both of which can shorten the lifespan of your dental veneers.
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush to thoroughly brush all surfaces of all your teeth at least twice every day.
- Gently massage the gum line and brush for at least two minutes each time.
- Don’t forget to floss! Even the best brushing technique can’t clean between the teeth, so using floss or a water flosser at least once per day is essential.
When flossing your veneers, be gentle and try not to snap the floss down between the teeth. Carefully slide it along the side of each tooth and beneath the gum line. If it’s hard to get the floss out again, it may be best to let go of one end and pull it through lengthwise.
4. Wear a guard if you clench or grind your teeth at night.
If you tend to grind your teeth, we may provide a custom night guard to prevent damaging your veneers while you sleep. It’s important to wear it every night to ensure your veneers last!
Bruxism (grinding your teeth) can put significant pressure on your veneers and loosen them, dislodge them, or even crack or chip them. A properly fitted night guard reduces unnecessary stress on your restorations and helps them last as long as possible.
However, it’s important to understand that over-the-counter guards you can buy at the store don’t provide the same protection as a custom night guard from a dentist. In some cases, they can even make things worse! Our team will let you know if we recommend a guard as part of your treatment plan for veneer teeth in Santa Rosa.
5. Keep up with dental cleanings and check-ups.
The best way to keep your teeth and restorations like dental veneers in the best possible shape is to keep up with professional teeth cleanings and routine check-ups. These appointments allow our team to check your veneers, clean them, and take X-rays to ensure there are no problems under the surface.
This also allows us to identify and address potential problems as early as possible. In many cases, this allows us to reduce your risk of unexpected complications like a veneer falling off when you least expect it.
Enjoy a Beautiful Smile That’s Built to Last
Dental veneers can rejuvenate your smile and your confidence. Our team provides comfortable and convenient dental cleanings and personalized home care guidance to help you enjoy that renewed self-esteem for years to come.
With the right daily habits and regular professional care, we can help you protect your investment and keep your veneers looking their best. Whether you’re considering a smile makeover or you want help taking care of your veneers in Santa Rosa, get in touch with our team!
