How healthy are your teeth? Although many people are quick to underestimate their dental health, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of different elements that play into overall dental wellness. From how often you brush and floss to how regularly you attend regular checkups, it is important to stay in close communication with your dentist, especially if you come down with a new symptom. The purpose of this website is to help people to understand and resolve dental issues, since small symptoms can lead to big problems down the road. Check out these posts to learn more about dental care.
Porcelain dental veneers are a simple and cost-effective way to correct cosmetic issues that are negatively affecting your smile. For example, if your teeth have yellowed from too many years of drinking coffee or if your teeth have developed small cracks in their enamel from age, then dental veneers will make your teeth look as white and beautiful as they did back when you were a teenager. However, once they have been installed, porcelain dental veneers do require some special care in order to stay looking fantastic.
To keep your new porcelain dental veneers looking amazing for years to come, follow each of these dentist-approved tips:
Tip: Don't Bite Down on Hard Foods or Objects After Veneers Are Applied
The dental veneers applied to your teeth are made of a thin shell of porcelain. While porcelain is a very strong material, it is not completely impervious to damage. The most common way porcelain veneers are damaged is by biting down on hard foods or objects such as pens. For this reason, it's vital you avoid biting down on hard objects or foods after your new veneers are installed.
Tip: Avoid Using Abrasive Cleaners on Your New Veneers
One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning porcelain dental veneers is brushing them with abrasive toothpaste or other cleaning agents such as baking soda and salt. While brushing with baking soda and salt makes your natural teeth feel amazingly clean, these abrasives will also wear down the enamel on your teeth over time and lead to problems. Just as salt and baking soda wear tooth enamel down, so too will they scratch and wear down the porcelain that makes up your dental veneers.
The best toothpaste to use with dental veneers is those that do not contain abrasives. Look for brands that make low-abrasive toothpaste options and your dentist can also suggest other options.
Tip: Make Sure You Keep Up with Regular Exams and Cleanings After Veneer Installation
Finally, even though your new porcelain dental veneers make your teeth look beautiful, they do require you keep up with your regular dental cleanings and exams. Just as tarter and other stains will discolor your natural teeth, they will also discolor your veneers if they aren't regularly cleaned by a dental hygenist. So, to protect your investment and ensure you don't have any other dental issues that need attention, make sure you keep up with exams and cleaning post-installation. For more information about dental veneers go to sites that discuss dental work.