Caring for Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a significant investment in your oral health, smile, and overall appearance. You want to do everything you can to maintain their beauty so your teeth always look great. Thankfully, caring for veneers is easy, and Dr. Don Mungcal and his dental team at Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions in Manhattan Beach, CA, are happy to guide patients as they tend to their smile makeover.

How to Clean Veneers

Teeth are never self-cleaning, not even stain-resistant veneers. These super-thin porcelain shields are strong, and it would take a lot of effort to make them look tarnished, but they’re not indestructible. Veneers collect tartar and plaque and require daily care just like natural teeth. The effort a patient must put in is simple:

• Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush
• Floss at least once a day
• Visit your dentist every six months for a dental exam and teeth cleaning

Remember that you still have natural teeth behind your veneers – they can develop tooth decay, stains, or other problems, so keeping them clean will help support your new smile too. Otherwise, no special tools are required to tend to veneers. Simply prioritize your dental health and your smile will stay white and beautiful. Feel like you need a little help? Ask your dentist about the possibility of veneer polishing.

Care for Veneers by Eliminating Bad Habits

There are some habits that people adopt, consciously or unconsciously, that threaten the solidity of porcelain veneers. If you want to prevent any damage to your veneers, observe the following:

• Don’t chew on pens, pencils, or eyeglasses
• Don’t bite your nails
• Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages
• Don’t bite down on hard candy, lollipops, or ice

Any of these habits can break or crack a veneer. One wrong bite could lead to disaster, while repeated bad behavior can cause problems too. If something is inedible, keep it away from your veneers to avoid serious damage.

Best Practices for Caring for Veneers

The natural-looking white finish of porcelain veneers requires daily upkeep, but besides maintaining a good oral hygiene routine and being careful about what you use your teeth for, there are a few things to be aware of so you can protect your teeth:

• Teeth grinding: Do you have a teeth grinding and clenching habit? If you suffer from this problem, it’s essential to discuss it with your dentist and get fitted for a customized nightguard. This appliance will protect your veneers – and the rest of your teeth – from damage, including chips, cracks, enamel erosion, gum recession, and more.
• Playing sports:Athletes need to take special care of their teeth, especially those who are involved in contact sports. Helmets aren’t enough to protect your mouth from damage if you get hit with a ball or puck, fall, or collide with another player. A personalized mouthguard is made to keep teeth – and veneers – safe from harm so you can play hard.

If your veneers suffer damage, the problems will be costly to repair. These simple appliances can be the difference between dental disaster and a healthy, intact smile enhanced by customized veneers.

Get Support When Caring for Veneers

Anyone who receives porcelain veneers is living with a new smile. You aren’t meant to know exactly how to tend to every aspect of it. Whatever questions you have about caring for veneers, contact your Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist for answers and support. At Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions we are dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy, beautiful smile for life. Contact us today to learn more about veneers.