New to Having Dental Veneers? Learn How to Care for Them

Dentist Blog

After your dental veneers are installed, you will need to learn the proper techniques to care for them and prevent damage from occurring. This includes avoiding certain foods that can cause staining or damage the surface of the veneers. These tips will help your veneers stay in great shape for the foreseeable future.

Preventing Damage to the Adhesive

There will be a few products available that can potentially cause damage to the adhesive used for the veneers. These include fluoride, alcohol, and abrasive toothpastes. The loss of adhesion will not happen overnight but can happen due to slow exposure over time.

For instance, if you happen to use a toothpaste that is abrasive, like one that includes baking soda in it, the toothpaste will slowly contribute to wearing away the dental adhesive used to hold the veneers on your teeth. You can make simple changes, such as using a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that is non-abrasive. Gel toothpastes will have ingredients that are less abrasive on your teeth.

Be aware of rinses and mouthwashes that contain alcohol and fluoride as well. These can also dissolve the adhesive that is used on your veneers. Your dentist will have recommendations for alcohol- and fluoride-free rinses that will be best for your veneers.

Preventing Staining to the Surface

The foods and beverages that you consume can cause staining. These substances include dark berries, beats, tea, coffee, soy sauce, and grape juice. The chemicals used in cigarettes also cause discoloration to your dental veneers over time. While you can consume these items in moderation, it is best to avoid them completely if you want to retain the color of your dental veneers over time.

Preventing Damage During Cleanings

If you ever visit a new dentist for a routine cleaning, be sure to make them aware that there are dental veneers installed. In some situations, dental veneers can blend in seamlessly, and a dental hygienist may not realize that you have them. They will need to take care when cleaning any tooth with a veneer to make sure they are not too aggressive when cleaning it, since doing so can damage the veneer's surface.

These are just a few tips that can help you maintain your dental veneers. Thankfully, these changes are relatively easy to make, and can go a long way in keeping your teeth looking great after years of normal wear and tear. Talk to a professional at a dentistry such as Carolina Forest Family Dentistry for more information.

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24 August 2016

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