Time And Teeth Again: Making Those New Veneers Last
Posted on: 24 April 2015
If you've just gotten veneers placed on your teeth, you'll want to preserve that lovely, bright smile for as long as possible. But it's not just a matter of keeping the color of the veneers the same. Porcelain veneers are tough, but they're not meant to last a lifetime, and that means that you need to be careful about how you care for them so that they stay in one piece. By monitoring what you eat and drink and how you care for your real teeth underneath, you can squeeze as much life out of your veneers as possible.
Care and Culinary Concerns
Veneers, remember, go on top of your real teeth -- they don't replace them. Getting veneers does not mean you can stop being so vigilant about brushing and flossing. In fact, you'll have to be more careful because dental work will require removing the veneers. Obviously, you can get your teeth cleaned without any issue. But if you develop any decay, a dentist will have to remove the veneer, fix the tooth underneath, and then install a new veneer. That adds time and lots of money to your dental bill.
If you got the veneers due to poor tooth care before, now's the time to up your dental game. Brush twice a day using a soft-bristled brush, and avoid the "whitening" kinds of toothpaste that could scratch the veneers. Floss at least once per day -- preferably twice -- and rinse with water after eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks.
What you eat affects the veneers, too, and not just due to acidity. Hard foods, like candies and hard seeds, can crack any tooth material if you bite down in just the wrong way. Cut up harder foods and avoid chewing on anything that's actually not meant to be chewed, like those hard candies.
Sports and Sleep
Finally, if you participate in sports, look into mouth guards. Any sport that's going to put you at risk of collision with something, be it a tree, the ground, a ball, a puck, or even a person, is a risk to the veneers just as they are to your regular teeth. You might also need a mouth guard if you grind your teeth at night, which can affect your jaw and tooth placement. That in turn can affect the veneers.
If you want more information on taking care of your veneers and making them last, contact your dentist and ask to set up a consultation where you can go into detail. Your dentist wants those veneers to last, too, so the two of you should form a team dedicated to caring for your teeth in the best possible way. For more information, contact a professional like those at Springdale Family Dental.
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