How To Extend the Lifespan of Your Veneers

Getting veneers can be a huge boost to your confidence. Once you see what they can do, you’ll probably hope that the changes they make to your smile will last forever. However, the unfortunate fact is that every kind of dental work needs to be replaced eventually, and veneers are no exception.

That said, there are plenty of things that you can do to make your veneers last for as long as possible. Here are a few examples.

Keep Up With Dental Hygiene

Veneers are placed on the front of your natural teeth, which means that they rely on the integrity of your enamel for support. They also can’t completely protect your tooth from decay, and developing a cavity on a veneered tooth may mean that you’ll have to replace them.

For that reason, it’s even more important than usual to stay on top of your dental hygiene. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to break up emerging plaque deposits.

Use the Right Toothpaste

Most toothpaste is designed specifically with enamel in mind. This means that they may not work quite as well on porcelain, which is what most veneers are made out of. In fact, many of the most common kinds of toothpaste can potentially damage that porcelain. If you want to protect the longevity of your veneers, you should have a good understanding of which toothpaste to avoid.

For example, baking soda and charcoal are common abrasives that can scrub stains off of enamel. Porcelain, however, isn’t quite as strong, and toothpaste containing these substances can potentially leave small abrasions on the veneer. Be sure not to use gritty, abrasive toothpaste on your veneers.

Whitening toothpaste also doesn’t work on porcelain and the hydrogen peroxide used often in them can weaken the cement that bonds veneers to the tooth. For these reasons, you should avoid whitening toothpaste as well.

Stopping Bruxism

Bruxism, or grinding teeth, is a fairly common nighttime habit. You may be putting your teeth under an enormous amount of pressure while you sleep without even realizing it. If you deal with bruxism and want to protect your veneers, you should talk to your dentist about getting a professionally crafted nightguard.

About Our Practice

At Village Walk Dental, we believe that great oral healthcare doesn’t begin and end with cold, sterile science. We combine clinical expertise with excellent customer service to make your experience with us as enjoyable as possible. We’ve also outfitted our office with the latest dental technology, which means that the care you get from us will be both effective and convenient.

If you have any questions about veneers, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (619) 482-7367.