After you receive your dental veneers, you may have questions about how to care for your veneers and keep them bright. Dental veneers are a part of the cosmetic dentistry treatments we offer our patients in Arlington Heights, IL. Veneers are shell-like treatments that cover the front of teeth, addressing problems like shortened, crooked, and discolored teeth. Dental veneers can address one or all of the teeth in the smile line or the teeth that show when you smile. Caring for your veneers will ensure they stay bright, intact, and last for years.
How to Care for Porcelain Veneers
Maintaining cosmetic dentistry treatments after care in our Arlington Heights, IL office ensures lasting results. After you receive your dental veneers, remember to:
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush with non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid hard-bristled brushes that can wear down the veneers over time. Gently brushing and flossing between veneers like natural teeth will prevent food and bacterial buildup. Just like your natural teeth, your veneers need to be cleaned. Cleaning your veneers will also prevent stains over time.
You’re still prone to gum disease if you have veneers. Harmful bacteria can reach the teeth behind your veneers and affect the surrounding gums. A good oral hygiene routine that includes flossing and brushing will keep veneers bright and your mouth healthy.
Avoid Bad Habits
Do you chew your nails? Oftentimes, do you use your teeth to open objects? These bad habits can potentially damage your natural teeth and your veneers. Bad oral habits can wear down your natural tooth enamel or the outer layer of your tooth, increasing the need for dental veneers in the first place.
If you receive veneers, you must stop chewing ice, biting your nails, and opening objects with your teeth. We recommend avoiding hard or crunchy foods directly after you receive your dental veneers because you can create pain or damage your veneers. Veneers are durable, but they are also prone to damage like natural teeth.
Stop Smoking
The composite material used to attach the veneers to the teeth can stain if you smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products. Smoking can also restrict the blood vessels, slowing healing if patients develop problems like gum disease and tooth decay. This is due to the nicotine content.
Although veneers cannot decay, the gums surrounding the veneers and the teeth behind the veneers can be affected by harmful bacterial buildup. Patients with veneers can still experience gum disease or tooth decay, which is why it is important to stop smoking, practice good oral hygiene, and schedule routine visits.
Do you need a routine cleaning to maintain your bright veneers? Call AH Smiles for treatment today at (847) 230-9703. You can also request a dental appointment with Dr. Brent Engelberg on our website.