If you have veneers, you want to make certain you are protecting them. These thin shells are carefully placed on the front side of your teeth to make them look perfectly white and to hide any cracks, irregular shapes, or misalignments. They do not repair any of these defects. Veneers are purely cosmetic. However, they can give you the smile of your dreams if you take care of them. Here are some tips for keeping your veneers looking great for years.
Keep Brushing and Flossing Regularly
You do not need to change your brushing or flossing habits with veneers. Always brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. You do not need to be extra gentle with veneers, either. They are durable and will stand up to brushing. Do make sure you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that is non-abrasive, though, so you do not scratch the veneers.
Bruxism and Veneers
If you know you suffer from bouts of bruxism, you need to let us know when we place the veneers. Bruxism causes you to grind your teeth at night, and that can wear down both your teeth and your veneers. It can cause your veneers to crack. One solution is to wear a mouth guard while you sleep. This helps reduce the stress on your teeth and veneers. Of course, the only real way to stop bruxism is to determine why you are grinding your teeth. In most cases, it is due to stress, so you will need to work out the cause of that stress.
Watch What You Put in Your Mouth
If you have a habit of chewing on pencils, your nails, ice, or anything else, do be aware that this habit can cause damage to your veneers as well as your teeth. You will want to let us know if you do so, we can look for signs of cracks and other damage. While you can still have veneers, remember that the more bad oral habits you have, the more likely it is that you will damage them. If that occurs, you will need to contact us right away so we can repair them.
If you have veneers, you want to make certain you are protecting them. These thin shells are carefully placed on the front side of your teeth to make them look perfectly white and to hide any cracks, irregular shapes, or misalignments. They do not repair any of these defects. Veneers are purely cosmetic. However, they can give you the smile of your dreams if you take care of them. Here are some tips for keeping your veneers looking great for years.