What Are The Do's And Don'ts After Veneers?

Don’t you like the appearance of your smile? Dental veneers can get you the beautiful, flawless smile you’ve always desired, whether your teeth are chipped, misshapen, gapped, or stained. Keep reading to learn more about dental veneers and what you can and can’t do after getting veneers.

What are dental veneers?

A tooth veneer is a thin tooth-colored coating or shell that’s fixed to the front of a tooth to repair or camouflage imperfections. The veneer changes the shape, color, and size of your tooth for a well-balanced, straighter, and brighter smile.

When placing dental veneers, the dentist often removes a minor part of the tooth’s enamel to make enough room for a veneer to fit perfectly without looking unnatural or bulky. Since the removed enamel can’t be restored, dental veneers are permanent, and excellent care and hygiene are essential to keep them and the rest of your teeth healthy and bright. We offer quality dental veneers in Newburyport, MA.

Tips for Caring For Your Dental Veneers

Below are several things that you can or can’t do to keep your dental veneers bright and in good condition for longer:

1. Maintain excellent oral hygiene

Excellent dental hygiene is critical to keep your veneers bright and in good condition for many years. While the veneer can’t develop decay or cavities, the underlying tooth can. Therefore, regular brushing and flossing are essential to prevent the buildup of bacterial plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to tooth decay, stains, and even tooth loss. To prevent that and keep your veneers bright and strong, keep your mouth clean and healthy.

2. Get a mouthguard

If you engage in contact sports or grind your teeth during sleep, getting a sports or night mouthguard can help protect your veneers and teeth from damage. Sports accidents or regular teeth grinding can cause your veneers and teeth to chip, crack, break, or even fall off. Consult your dentist about a custom-made mouthguard for maximum comfort and protection.

3. Eat a proper diet

A proper diet is very important for optimal oral health. Taking foods and beverages high in sugars and acids, like sweets, lemons, wine, apple cider vinegar, and candy, can encourage plaque and tartar buildup around the veneers and teeth, leading to stains, decay, and even teeth loss. If you must take them, be sure to rinse your mouth with water to remove any leftover debris. Wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing after consuming acidic items.

4. Schedule routine dental checkups

While daily brushing and flossing are vital in keeping your veneers and teeth brighter and healthier, professional care is also important. Routine dental checkups allow the dentist to deeply clean your teeth and veneers to remove all traces of bacterial plaque and tartar buildup. If not removed, these deposits produce harmful toxins that can erode teeth and veneer and irritate the gums. The dentist also inspects and identify potential problems and provides the early treatment. Your veneers will also be checked for damage. If necessary, the dentist can repair or replace them.

5. Do not chew too hard items

While made from artificial materials like porcelain and composite resin, dental veneers aren’t indestructible. Biting or chewing very hard items like raw nuts can cause your veneers to break, chip, or slip off. Your natural can’t handle it, either. To keep your veneers and teeth healthy and strong, it’s best to stay away from damaging habits.

6. Do not use teeth as tools

Most people are often tempted to use their teeth to cut their nails or open packages when they can’t reach the right tools for that. Unfortunately, this can cause your veneers and teeth to chip, crack, or fall off. Having the right tools, like scissors and nail cutters, can help reduce the temptations of using your teeth as tools. This ensures your veneers and teeth remain strong and healthy.

7. Avoid staining habits

Dental veneers, especially porcelain veneers, tend to resist staining better than your natural tooth. However, regular exposure to staining ingredients like tobacco, coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, and sauces can cause your veneers to look dull or stained. Unfortunately, once they stain, they can’t be whitened. You’ll need them replaced or get an alternative, like a dental crown, to improve the appearance of your smile. You can use a straw when drinking highly colored beverages.

8. Avoid smoking

Smoking does more than discolor or stain your dental veneers and teeth. Smoking can react with the veneer bonding agent, creating an unsightly blue ring. It can also encourage bad breath and dry mouth, leading to tooth decay and loss.

Learn More about Teeth Veneers in Newburyport, MA

Would you like to transform your smile with dental veneers? Contact Newburyport Family Dental to book your appointment with our dentist today.