The Dos And Don’ts Of Maintaining Your New Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers can be a great way to improve the appearance of your smile without the need for drastic dental work. Most often, porcelain is used for veneers due to its durability and similar composition to natural teeth. If you're thinking about getting porcelain veneers in the future, however, there are some important care and maintenance tips worth keeping in mind.

DO Consider a Mouth Guard if Needed

First of all, if you tend to grind or clench your teeth in your sleep, talk to your dentist about having a custom mouth guard made. These can be worn at night to protect your veneers (and the rest of your teeth) from cracking or chipping. While porcelain veneers are durable, they can also be brittle when placed under extreme pressure.

DON'T Skip Your Follow-Up Appointment

Typically a week or so after your dental veneers are placed, your dentist will want you to come in for a follow-up appointment. During this appointment, he or she will check to make sure that your veneers are holding up well and that they were placed properly. This will include assessing your bite with your new veneers. It is imperative that you attend this appointment, even if everything seems fine, to avoid potential problems in the future.

DO Use a Non-Abrasive Toothpaste

Abrasive toothpastes (such as those that contain baking soda) can be abrasive to porcelain, causing small surface scratches that can stain easily and become noticeable over time. Be sure to invest in a quality, non-abrasive toothpaste to use on your porcelain veneers so as to avoid possible damage. Most toothpastes are non-abrasive, but avoid ones that contain baking soda or that have a gritty feel to them.

DON'T Overlook Oral Hygiene

Speaking of brushing your teeth, it will now be more important than ever to stay on top of your oral health. All too often, people make the mistake of assuming porcelain is too resilient to need regular brushing, flossing, or other care. And while it's true that veneers cannot get cavities, a lack of brushing or other dental hygiene can still lead to gum disease, bad breath, and staining of your new veneers.

By keeping these care and maintenance tips in mind as you prepare for porcelain veneers, you can avoid expensive damage. Be sure to ask your dentist if you have any other questions or concerns about caring for your new veneers!


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