Find out the best ways to care for your veneers and prolong their lifespan…
So, you’ve taken the leap and decided to have cosmetic dentistry treatment, you’ve gone through the procedure, and now you are wondering what to do to keep your pearly whites healthy and sparkling for as long as possible.
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are placed over your natural teeth to cover any imperfections (cracks, chips, irregular teeth shape, gaps, crookedness, yellowing colour etc).
They are a quick fix, non-invasive and long-lasting solution for anyone who wants to improve their smile and confidence.
Although porcelain veneers have recently become more common, it is important to remember that they have a long history and are not a new trend.
When people get veneers, most of them want to know the best ways to keep their veneers in top condition for as long as possible – we have compiled a list of tips and tricks to help you to do so!
Oral hygiene is key!
As adults, we are probably tired of hearing how to ‘brush properly.’ However, this is vital for caring for your veneers and ensuring they last as long as possible.
Although we encourage treating your veneers the same way as you treat your normal teeth – oral hygiene is not just about brushing twice a day.
Veneers do not provide a barrier against the build up of plaque on your teeth!
Additionally, you should think about how you are brushing. Although you may think that by brushing aggressively you are providing a deeper clean for the teeth, you could actually be doing more damage.
One indicator of how hard your brushing is how often you need to change your toothbrush – if your toothbrush becomes worn and damaged after just one month, then it is likely you need to rethink your brushing technique…
See more information on oral hygiene.
Check-ups
Your dentist will inform you on how often you need to return to the practice for check-ups.
During your check-up you can also organise a deep clean, which will help remove build-up plaque that your toothbrush can’t get.
If you do not have your veneers cleaned and plaque builds up too much, then in some cases the veneers must be removed to clean properly.
Keeping your pearly-whites white…
If you want to keep your veneers white, one thing we recommend is avoiding staining foods and drink when possible.
We don’t expect you to fully give up tea, coffee, wine etc but using these vices sparingly will help keep your teeth whiter for longer!
General upkeep
Although we do offer veneers as a long term solution, this does not mean they last forever.
You can extend the life span of your veneers by caring for them in the ways we have suggested, however veneers will not last forever.
At some point you will need to replace them, but by following these tips you can delay that process for a little longer.