Veneers are thin shell-like covers that can mask various dental cosmetic imperfections, such as stains, chips, gaps, or misshapen teeth.
Veneers can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years long depending on the material they are made of, their position in their mouth, and so on. But, if you want to ensure that yours will last as long as possible, then you need to take good care of them.
Here's how.
You Can Get Cavities with Veneers
While veneers per se don't get cavities because they are made of synthetic materials, you need to keep in mind that they are bonded to your natural teeth. If plaque and tartar accumulate at the base of your veneers, near the gum line, bacteria can slowly get under them and attack the natural tooth. And, because your teeth are covered by the veneers you will only notice that something is wrong when you start experiencing symptoms like tooth pain, swelling, bleeding gums, and so on.
Not only can your teeth be affected if you don't maintain proper oral hygiene, but your veneers can get damaged too. They can chip, crack, or lose their brightness and color if you don't take proper care of your oral health.
How to Care for Veneers
The good news is that taking care of your veneers is as simple as taking care of your natural teeth. Here's how to do it:
- Brush and floss your teeth every day to remove any food particles and bacteria that may lead to decay.
- Go to regular professional dental cleanings so that your dentist can remove sneaky or stubborn food particles. They can also check the condition of your veneers and remove any surface stains that may affect their longevity.
- Don't use your teeth to open packages, or bottles, or to chew on ice or pen caps. These habits increase the risk of damaging your veneers.
- Wear a custom-made night guard if you grind your teeth at night. Bruxism can wear down your veneers faster as well as increase the risk of chipping and cracking.
- Wear a mouthguard during contact sports to avoid damaging your veneers.
- Limit the consumption of staining foods like berries, tomato sauces, colored drinks, and so on.
- Be careful when eating hard or chewy foods like candies, taffies, nuts, and so on.
- Drink stained foods like coffee through a straw to limit the contact of the liquid with your teeth.
Can Veneers Restore My Smile?
If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry and are looking for an effective way to revamp your smile, veneers in Brookfield might just be the answer you were looking for. Dr. Nick Russo will discuss your oral health goals with you and determine if veneers are indeed the right cosmetic treatment for you.
Get in touch with Russo Dental online to request an appointment and begin your smile makeover journey.