How to care for your Veneers

How To Care For Your Veneers

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the surfaces of teeth, providing a quick and long-lasting fix for teeth that are stained, chipped, misaligned, or irregularly shaped. They’re an excellent way to help create a natural-looking smile.

With the treatment becoming increasingly popular among Hermitage Dental Practice patients, we’d like to offer some of our best tips for maintaining dental veneers, so that you can maximise their longevity. With just six simple tips, you can help ensure that you do not have to get your veneers replaced early.

Practice Good Oral Health

The number one recommendation for all treatments available at Hermitage Dental Practice is to continue practicing good oral health. Brush regularly using a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, or ideally after every meal. Flossing at least once a day also helps remove particles caught between teeth. Finally, rinsing an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash around your mouth to ensure holistic cleaning at a different time to toothbrushing. Excessive exposure to alcohol can soften the bonding agent that holds the veneers to your teeth, so be wary of the products you use day-to-day.

Avoid Grinding Your Teeth

It’s no surprise that grinding your teeth has detrimental effects on them. The same goes for veneers. If you suffer from Bruxism, the tendency to grind or clench your teeth while sleeping, speak with one of the Hermitage Dental Practice dentists as soon as possible. A night time bite guard can be prepared, often referred to as an occlusal guard. Wearing this device will help relieve stress on your veneers, helping them last far longer than without it.

Chew Wisely

Despite their durability, veneers can still chip and break. Normal foods should not present a problem but it’s wise to avoid chewing on hard materials such as your nails, ice or even everyday pens.

Protect Your Smile

Maintaining good oral health forms but a small part of all round health. Participating in sports is an important part of this, so it’s important to protect your veneers during potential physical contact. Invest in a mouth guard to avoid potential trauma.

Beware of Stains

As is the case with natural teeth, veneers can be stained. You should limit foods that are pertinent to tooth discolouration. Food and drink such as coffee, red wine, tea, soy sauce, and berries can be consumed but try to keep it infrequent. Smoking is another major source of stains. Cutting down or even quitting will not only improve your overall health, but it will also help keep your veneers looking like a white, natural smile.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Routine dental check-ups are vital to maintaining good oral health. Taking responsibility of your dental care and visiting your dentist roughly every six months helps to protect both your teeth and veneers, ensuring potential problems are spotted before they become a major issue. Not only this but the hygienist will use professional equipment to polish your veneers and preserve their look.

Your oral health and dental care is at the forefront of all we do. If you feel as though you may require veneers, please get in touch with us via phone on 01530 510533 and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.