Whether you’re looking to mask stains, chips, or other imperfections, few treatments provide an instant upgrade to your smile like dental veneers. While veneers deliver a smile that’s ready for the red carpet, it’s up to you whether your veneers go the distance. With proper care and diligence, veneers can last upwards of 12 to 25 years. Today, Dr. Bailey and our team share five tips that will extend the longevity of your dental veneers.
1. Maintain Daily Oral Hygiene Routine at Home
Dental veneers require the same oral hygiene standard as teeth without veneers. A good oral hygiene routine has several elements: brushing, flossing, good technique, and consistency. You should gently brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and floss your teeth at least once daily. Superb oral hygiene will protect your underlying natural teeth from tooth decay and cavities. Utilizing products with xylitol is another great way to help protect your teeth from cavities.
2. Reduce Exposure to Stains
Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to stains, but it's still good to limit foods and beverages that stain. Wine and coffee are notorious for staining, but other common culprits include berries, tea, balsamic vinegar, curry powder, and tomato sauce. Whenever consuming these, be sure to drink plenty of water to help wash the pigment away. Smoking and other tobacco products also stain teeth.
3. Visit Our Office Regularly
Generally, we recommend that our patients visit our office every six months. This enables our team to keep a close eye on your oral health, remove any accumulated plaque and tartar, and monitor the condition of your dental veneers.
4. Protect Your Teeth with a Mouthguard
Like your natural teeth, veneers can be cracked or chipped. If you play contact sports or you know you grind your teeth at night, invest in a mouthguard to protect your pearly whites. Ask our team for more information about custom sports mouthguards and nightguards!
5. Eliminate Bad Chewing Habits
As a general rule, you shouldn’t chew on anything other than food or sugar-free chewing gum. If you have a habit of chewing on ice, pens, or something else, you could end up damaging your veneers or your natural teeth.
Your Cosmetic Dentist in Fredericksburg, VA
If you follow our tips, you can enjoy the benefits of your veneers for many, many years. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation, contact North River Dental Care, your cosmetic dentist in Fredericksburg, VA!
