Dental patients who seek long-lasting enhancement to the look of their smiles often receive porcelain veneers. These cosmetic dental fixtures feature shell-like caps that adhere to the front of a patient’s teeth with bonding.
Once you experience these aesthetic benefits to your smile, you will want to take care of your veneers to get the most out of your cosmetic dental treatment. Read on to find advice from your dentist for maintaining your new porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Veneers Aftercare Tips
Pay Attention to the Fit of Your Veneers
Dentists construct porcelain veneers for their patients on an individualized basis. This custom fit ensures that the size, shape, and color of the fixtures build a gorgeous smile that appears natural for each unique patient.
This approach also allows the veneers to fit both comfortably and securely over the front of the patient’s teeth. The dentist will check the patient’s bite after the veneers are placed to see that the fixtures do not interfere with their ability to perform oral functions.
It may take some time to get used to how veneers feel over your teeth. But if you notice they feel loose or misaligned, you should let your dentist know. Ill-fitting veneers could break or cause dental problems if you ignore the issue.
Avoid High Pressures on Your Teeth
Porcelain veneers can withstand the everyday wear and tear that your teeth experience. However, these durable fixtures could break or dislodge if exposed to abnormally high pressures.
This means that you should not bite down on hard items if you can help it. Examples include fingernails, ice, and the end of a pen. You should also talk to your dentist if you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth. This behavior generates pressure that could harm your veneers as well as your teeth.
If your veneers do sustain damage, contact your dentist as soon as possible. To place a veneer, the dentist etches into the enamel of the tooth. Without the veneer’s protection, the underlying tooth can be vulnerable to plaque and other threats. So you will want to replace or repair your damaged porcelain veneers promptly.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Many patients appreciate that porcelain veneers resist both decay and staining. However, your veneers will still garner plaque throughout the day which can harm your underlying teeth. You will want to keep your teeth healthy so that they can act as a stable foundation for your cosmetic dental work.
This means you should continue good oral hygiene practices. These entail brushing your teeth at least twice each day and flossing daily. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you do not scratch the surface of your veneers.
You should also visit your dentist for routine teeth cleanings and oral exams. These appointments make great opportunities to check that your veneers are still working as well as they should too.