Do you want a secure, effective, long-lasting way to enhance the look of your teeth? Ask your dentist about porcelain veneers. These hard shells attach to the front of your teeth to build a whiter and straighter smile according to your aesthetic goals.
Once you experience smile enhancement from veneers, you will want to make sure you get the most out of this cosmetic dental treatment. Read on to find three tips for keeping your porcelain veneers looking and feeling their best.
How to Maintain Porcelain Veneers
Pay Attention to How Veneers Fit
Dentists construct porcelain veneers on a personalized basis for each patient. This means that they will receive a comfortable fixture that will look both natural and gorgeous on their teeth. This approach also ensures that the veneers will fit securely in place.
The dentist will also check the patient’s bite after attaching them to their teeth to make sure the veneers do not interfere with their oral capabilities. It may take some time to get used to the feeling of the veneers in the mouth.
However, if the veneers seem loose or misaligned, you should let your dentist know as soon as you can. Ill-fitting veneers can dislodge or break, impacting the look and health of your smile.
Avoid Putting Veneers Under Immense Pressures
Dentists design porcelain veneers to withstand the everyday wear and tear of chewing and other necessary dental functions. However, these fixtures are not indestructible. If exposed to abnormally high amounts of pressure, veneers may crack or fall off of the teeth.
Therefore, to protect your dental work, you should not bite down on hard items, like fingernails or the end of a pen. This will create pressure on the teeth that may harm your veneers.
Similarly, tell your dentist if you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth. Grating the top teeth against the bottom teeth also generates harmful pressure. The dentist may want to treat the teeth grinding habit or give you a custom-made mouth guard to protect your smile against unconscious bruxism, such as when you sleep.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Many patients appreciate that porcelain veneers will resist both decay and staining. However, your underlying teeth can still sustain damage from plaque that accrues naturally.
Your cosmetic fixtures will work best with a strong, stable foundation from your natural teeth. So to keep them healthy, you should continue practicing good oral hygiene.
You should brush your teeth twice each day and floss daily as you normally would. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you do not scratch your veneers as you clean your teeth.
Visiting your dentist for routine teeth cleanings is another important step in your oral hygiene regimen. These appointments also provide a good opportunity for your dentist to check your veneers and make sure they continue to enhance your smile as well as they can. Ask your dentist if you have any concerns or questions about your fixtures during this appointment.