Want a cosmetic dental solution that can give you a whiter and straighter smile for up to fifteen years? Ask your dentist about your eligibility for porcelain veneers. These custom-made shells attach to the front of your teeth to build a bright, full, and smooth smile that you can feel proud of.
Once you experience this aesthetic enhancement, you will want to make sure the benefits last for as long as possible. Read on to find three ways you can care for your new porcelain veneers to get the most out of your cosmetic dental work.
Aftercare Tips for Porcelain Veneers
Pay Attention to the Fit of Veneers
Dentists build porcelain veneers for their patients on a personalized basis. This means the dentist factors in the size, shape, and color of the patient’s unique smile to ensure a natural-looking and comfortable fit for the fixtures.
This approach also ensures the veneers do not disrupt a patient’s oral function by fitting properly and securely over a tooth. When the dentist attaches the veneers to the teeth, they check the patient’s bite before they let them leave the office. They want to ensure they can close their mouth without issue.
It may take some time to get used to the way veneers feel on your smile. However, you should call your dentist if they seem loose or misaligned. Ill-fitting veneers are more likely to fall off, which will require emergency repairs from your dentist.
Avoid High Pressures on Your Dental Work
Your dentist designs porcelain veneers to look beautiful. But they also construct them to endure wear and tear as your natural teeth do on a regular basis. However, veneers cannot withstand abnormally high pressures without cracking or dislodging.
For this reason, you should not bite down on hard items such as ice, fingernails, or the end of a pen. You should also let your dentist know if you have a habit of grinding your teeth. This behavior generates pressure on your teeth and dental work and might cause veneers to fall off. Do not hesitate to call your dentist right away if you do sustain damage to your veneers.
Continue Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
Porcelain veneers resist staining and decay, but you should still continue your usual oral hygiene routine. Cleaning your teeth and your veneers ensures that the underlying teeth remain strong enough to serve as a stable foundation for your cosmetic dental work.
Proper oral hygiene includes flossing every day and brushing your teeth twice per day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching your veneers. Good oral hygiene includes visiting your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings too.
During these visits, your dentist clears away plaque you might miss when brushing and flossing. They can also scrape away tartar that your toothbrush cannot remove. This appointment also allows your dentist to check that your porcelain veneers remain secure and still function as they should.