Minor teeth damage like chips, cracks, enamel erosion, and uneven gaps can affect the appearance of your teeth and make you vulnerable to more injury and infections. Dental veneers are a popular and cost-effective solution for repairing these damages to preserve your tooth’s structure and improve its aesthetics.
A dental veneer is a thin shell or coating that is adhered to atooth’s front to repair or camouflage imperfections. While durable and strong, veneers aren’t immune to damage. Under the wrong conditions, they can crack, chip, break, stain, or even fall off. This article highlights essential tips and daily habits that protect veneers to keep them brighter and healthier for longer.
Fortunately, dental veneers don’t require any special care or maintenance. Below are practical tips for protecting veneers from discoloration and damage for long-term success:
While veneers are made from artificial materials which won’t develop decay or cavities, the underneath tooth can. Poor oral hygiene can encourage bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup on the other parts of the tooth, causing erosion and decay. This can cause your veneer to detach and fall off. Poor hygiene can cause gum disease and recession, affecting the integrity of your tooth and veneers.
Good oral hygiene practices for veneers include brushing at least twice daily, flossing daily, and rinsing regularly. This helps remove debris, bacteria, and plaque from your teeth and mouth, preventing the risk of decay, sensitivity, gum recession, and gum disease. This helps you maintain healthy, strong, and bright veneers and teeth.
While there are thousands of dental products like toothpaste, toothbrush, flosses, and mouthwash, not all of them are good for your teeth and veneers. For instance, some brands of toothpaste and mouthwash contain abrasive ingredients that erode your veneers and teeth, significantly weakening them. Similarly, some toothbrushes are hard-bristled, significantly causing your veneers to wear down.
In general, choose gentle dental products like soft-bristled toothbrushes (change them every 3 to 4 months), electric toothbrushes, fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and antimicrobial mouthwash. If you’re not sure, consult our dentist near you for recommendations.
Sugary and acidic food items can contribute to erosion and decay in the underneath tooth, causing your veneer to loosen or fall out. Also, chewing hard or crunchy items can cause your veneers to crack or chip.
Foods and drinks to avoid with veneers include candies, bread, crackers, raw nuts, sodas, fruit juices, and apple cider vinegar. If you must take these items, limit your consumption.
While healthy, some foods and drinks contain dark dyes or chromogens, which can enter the tooth enamel, causing stains. Although veneers are highly resistant to stains, regular exposure to staining ingredients can cause them to discolor or stain.
Highly pigmented items to avoid or limit include coffee, soda, red wine, dark sauces, and chocolates. Brushing or rinsing your mouth after taking these items can lower your risk of developing stains and keep your teeth and veneers sparkling white.
Besides avoiding hard foods, avoid chewing or biting on hard non-food items like bottle tops, nails, or pencils. These activities can damage your teeth and cause your veneers to chip, crack, break, or even fall out. If you have similar habits, it would be beneficial to stop them to protect your mouth and keep your veneers in excellent condition.
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is beneficial for the longevity and success of your veneers. Excessive alcohol consumption can soften the bond between your tooth and veneer, increasing their risk of falling out, staining, and chipping.
Also, take caution against alcoholic dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash. On the other hand, tobacco products can stain your teeth and contribute to gum disease, affecting the integrity of your tooth and veneer.
Grinding teeth during sleep can cause your teeth or veneers to chip, crack, or break. If you have bruxism, check with your dentist for treatment. The dentist can recommend a nightguard to reduce the effects of bruxism on teeth and veneers.
High-impact activities like boxing, soccer, and wrestling can cause oral injuries, causing your teeth and veneers to chip, crack, break, or fall off. Wearing a sports guard can help minimize the risk of developing injuries from high-impact activities.
Routine dental checkups allow your dentist to examine your veneers, teeth, gums, and mouth for potential issues and address them promptly.
Similarly, the dentist will clean your teeth, veneers, and mouth to remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar, lowering your risk of oral infections. This helps maintain brighter and healthier teeth and veneers.
Are you interested in dental veneers? Contact and book a dentist appoinment at Dental Arts of Plymouth to book a consultation with our dentist today.
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