How to Properly Care for Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells that are often made of strong material. Your dentist will attach them to your treated teeth. These restorations may protect and strengthen your teeth, but they may still fail without proper maintenance. Proper care is important to achieve the results that you need. Here are the ways of properly caring for dental veneers.

Floss daily

Plaque develops after every snack or meal. It is between teeth. This sticky film also stays on dental surfaces and veneers. Brushing can help remove plaque, but the bristles cannot reach some narrow areas. Flossing can.

Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash

There is a natural dental structure underneath each dental veneer. Using this type of mouthwash strengthens the remaining natural enamel layer. It also washes away food particles and plaque. The dentist can help the patient choose the right brand.

Brush for two minutes twice a day

Using fluoride toothpaste when brushing at least two times a day can protect the teeth from bacteria. It can also strengthen the natural teeth underneath the dental veneers. Brushing for two minutes each time is enough to remove plaque and food particles. Dental veneers and natural teeth can be free of plaque and food particles.

Refrain from using teeth as tools

Teeth are not for opening packages, cutting thread, or removing bottle caps. Doing these activities is not good for natural teeth and dental veneers. These shells may be durable, but they can still chip or break. Use scissors or bottle openers to do the job. Teeth with or without veneers are only for biting, chewing, and speaking.

Stick to veneer-friendly foods

Consuming easy-to-eat foods can prevent dental veneers from breaking. Fruits, vegetables, and soups are a few examples of these foods. Chewing ice and eating hard candies can crack the dental veneers. Eating sticky and chewy foods can dislodge them.

Limit the intake of sweets

Some examples are taffy, caramels, and lollipops. Dental veneers protect natural teeth. Limiting one’s intake of sweets or refined carbohydrates is important. Doing so can discourage more harmful bacteria from destroying natural teeth underneath the shells.

Visit the dentist twice a year

Seeing the dentist twice each year can help protect the natural teeth underneath the shells. The dentist will perform a mouth inspection. Regular visits will allow the dentist to perform a professional dental cleaning. The dentist will scrape off the tartar and even place fluoride coating around the teeth. This can strengthen the teeth and support the veneers well.

Stop consuming tobacco

This habit is not good for dental veneers. It can stain teeth and attract bacteria. Without nicotine-stained dental veneers and natural teeth, the patient can keep developing dental issues. Quitting tobacco consumption can always clear the veneers and natural teeth of tobacco staining, as well as plaque.