Looking for a long-lasting, highly effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth? Ask your dentist about porcelain veneers. These custom-made shells attach to the front of your teeth to build a whiter, straighter, and fuller smile according to your specific aesthetic goals.
Once you see the smile enhancement benefits veneers can provide, you will want to make sure they endure for as long as possible. This will involve taking care of these fixtures at home. Read on to find aftercare advice that will help you maintain your new porcelain veneers.
Pay Attention to Your Bite
Dentists build porcelain veneers on a personalized basis for each of their patients. This means you can count on beautiful fixtures that will look natural in your unique smile. But they also make sure that they will fit comfortably and securely too for the size and shape of your mouth.
When the dentist secures the veneers to your teeth, they will check your bite before you leave the office. This ensures that the new fixtures will not interfere with your oral functions and your mouth can close properly.
Veneers might feel strange on your teeth at first, but if they feel loose or misaligned, this is abnormal. Let your dentist know right away about any fit concerns with the veneers. Improperly fitting veneers have a higher chance of breaking or dislodging.
Do Not Bite Hard Objects
Durable porcelain material and strong bonding adhesive ensure that you can chew, bite, and perform other oral functions as you normally would when you have veneers. However, these fixtures are not totally indestructible.
Under high amounts of pressure, veneers might crack, chip, or fall off of the tooth. If this occurs, then the vulnerable area under the tooth becomes exposed and at risk of decay and other dental dangers.
So make sure you do not bite down on unnecessarily hard items. Examples include the end of a pen, ice, or fingernails. If you do sustain damage to your veneers, do not hesitate to call your dentist. They will ask you to come to their office for urgent repairs or replacements of your fixtures.
Continue Proper Oral Hygiene
Many people appreciate that porcelain veneers will resist staining as well as decay for long-lasting enhancement effects. But you will still need to continue good oral hygiene habits to get the most out of this cosmetic dental treatment.
Veneers will collect plaque throughout the day that will spread and hurt your underlying teeth if not removed promptly through oral hygiene. For this reason, brush your teeth twice a day and floss each day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you do not scratch your veneers during this process.
Attend routine teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office too to maximize oral cleanliness. These appointments offer prime opportunities for your dentist to examine your veneers as well to ensure they still perform and appear as well as they should.