When you get porcelain veneers from your dentist in Long Beach at Cherry Dental, you can be confident that they will do exactly what they’re supposed to: provide a long-lasting beautiful smile. Yes, it’s true that veneers are thin covers of dental porcelain that are meant to last your smile years, but they’re still prone to damage when frequently exposed to bad habits and poor oral care. That’s why we think it’s important to share 6 helpful tips to properly maintain your newly improved teeth. With good maintenance, you can enjoy the dependability, functionality and cosmetic appeal of porcelain veneers for years to come!
Oral Hygiene is Key!
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is very important if you want your veneers to live out their full life. Good oral hygiene means keeping your teeth and gums healthy—not just solely brushing. This is how our dental experts recommend that you keep your smile strong.
- Brush after eating.
- Floss before going to sleep.
- Brush and floss the right way.
- Schedule deep cleaning treatments regularly.
Keep in mind that while veneers aren’t directly affected by tooth decay, but your underlying natural tooth remains susceptible to damage from dental bacteria. But, if you follow these tips, you can keep clean, healthy teeth – an essential foundation for long lasting veneers.
Your Teeth Aren’t Hard Tools
Using your teeth as a tool like scissors or a mail opener was never a great idea for your natural smile, but especially not when you’ve had dental work completed like porcelain veneers. Opening bottles, nuts and plastic packaging with your teeth places your veneers under extreme pressure that they’re not created for. This unnecessary wear and tear can possibly chip or break them if you practice this bad habit.
Avoid Hard Objects
Hard objects that you shouldn’t bite or chew include chunks of ice, tips of pencils and even your fingernails. Candy apples and nuts, on the other hand, fall under the category of hard-textured food. We understand it can be hard to avoid these foods if you truly enjoy them, but it’s recommended that you enjoy them sparingly and be mindful of your porcelain veneers. The lifetime of your veneers can be shortened when they’re frequently exposed to unnatural stress.
Protect your Porcelain Veneers with a Mouthguard
This is especially important to athletes or anyone who lives an active lifestyle. If you have a bad habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, consider using a mouth guard. This oral appliance is worn during athletic activities or when you sleep to protect your teeth and soft tissues from potential trauma. Anything can happen during a game and teeth grinding can cause your erosion, so it’s best to be protected.
Avoid Food and Beverages that Can Stain your Veneers
One of the advantages of porcelain veneers is being stain resistant. However, let’s not push its limits. If you drink coffee regularly and the stains that come with it aren’t washed off in time, the stains can become permanent on your veneers. It is best to prevent this from happening. Take food and drinks that have the tendency to stain at a minimum. Rinse your mouth afterwards too, so that any stain is immediately removed.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Your dentist at Cherry Dental will be able to monitor your veneers, teeth and gums, check for potential dental issues and perform deep cleanings all during your appointment. Regular dental visits are the best way to preventing damages before they ever happen. Dental visits every 6 months should be enough for the dentist to properly care for your teeth and gums.
For porcelain veneers in Long beach, contact Cherry Dental. No matter which flaws you wish to cover, we’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams and maintain it. Schedule an appointment with us today!