Taking Care of Your Veneers: 5 Habits You Need to Develop

Having a crooked smile can be challenging for people who are conscious about their appearances. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry procedures are becoming more affordable and accessible to these individuals. Having dental veneers is an excellent way to protect your front teeth and give you the perfect smile. However, its effects will only last if you know how to care for them.

How to protect your veneers to last a lifetime

After you receive your veneers, it's your responsibility to care for them properly. Even though it will generally last a lifetime, it can grow weaker over time if it sustains too much damage. You need to be cautious about your dental care habits so that your veneers can remain strong and clear.

If you want to protect your veneers, here are five habits you need to learn and develop:

1. Use soft-bristle toothbrushes

Porcelain veneers aren't indestructible, which is why you should be cautious about your brushing habits. Since veneers already have a fine polish, it will become uneven if you scrub too hard. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently gloss over your veneers and protect your natural teeth's enamel.

2. Avoid grinding your teeth

People who are prone to grinding their teeth can put their natural teeth and veneers at risk. This can wear down your veneers at a faster rate and shorten its lifespan. If you regularly do this out of habit, you have to train yourself to stop doing so after getting your veneers. On the other hand, you can wear a nightguard if it's an involuntary reaction for you while you sleep.

3. Drink beverages with a straw

Veneers give you the perfect white smile that enables you to stay confident. However, your veneers aren't invulnerable to staining. Drinks like soda, dark chocolate, coffee, and wine can cause discoloration on your teeth if you drink these in excess. Your veneers aren't immune to this effect. It's best to stay away from these beverages if you want to maintain the pristine whiteness of your porcelain veneers.

On the other hand, if a morning cup of coffee is part of your routine, you can avoid staining by using a straw for these drinks. Doing so will prevent direct contact of the liquid to your teeth as it passes to the back of your mouth.

4. Don't chew hard food

Besides being more mindful about your drinking habits, you should also be cautious about your chewing. Your veneers can receive damage if you constantly chew hard food and objects since these are the common causes of chipping. Although this mostly applies to fingernails, pencils, and plastic lids, it also applies to hard-to-chew food like steaks and hard candy.

5. Avoid smoking

Since porcelain veneers have some level of protection against staining, you shouldn't push it to its limit. Generally, smoking regularly isn't enough to wear down the whiteness of your veneers. However, its tar and nicotine content, especially for tobacco, can stain the bonding agent of porcelain. This will result in a yellow or brown hue at your veneer's edges.

Conclusion

Having veneers may be bothersome at first, with all the new rules you have to observe. However, it will significantly improve your lifestyle and sense of self-confidence in more ways than one. Remember to consult with your dentist if you're ready to make the change towards keeping a brighter smile.

If you want to receive cosmetic dentistry treatments from an experienced dentist, we provide affordable dentistry in Ann Arbor. We also perform various dental services and dental implants for your oral care needs. Get in touch with our dental professionals today to learn more about our different dental services!