The veneer process is permanent, but that does not mean that the veneers you get will stay with you for your whole life. In general, you will likely need to change your veneers every five to ten years, but you can also elongate their lifespan if you take good care of your veneers.
How to take care of veneers?
The type of veneers you get will somewhat determine how long they are likely to last. How much do veneers cost Melbourne? Porcelain veneers are considered to be the most long-lasting ones, and if properly taken care of, these veneers can last for about 10-15 years. Considering the high cost of veneers in Australia, caring for porcelain veneers is essential if you wish to keep your veneers on for as long as possible.
Therefore, here are a few tips that will help with your veneer care routine and make sure they last a good amount of time.
Maintain good oral hygiene
The best thing you can do in order to keep your veneers looking perfect for many years is to maintain good dental hygiene. It should be part of your routine, even if you do not have veneers, to keep your mouth healthy.
Although porcelain veneers themselves do not get tooth decay, some of the natural tooth underneath may still be visible and susceptible to it. To keep your veneers in good condition, ensure that you brush your teeth twice at least twice, floss once, and rinse them with some antiseptic mouthwash about once or twice a day.
Visit your doctor regularly
Visiting your dentist regularly can be useful for two reasons. First of all, your dentist can assist you with preventing gum and mouth infections, which can harm the condition and quality of your veneers. Second of all, they can fix any issue that might arise, such as chipping, cracking, or deteriorating bonds between the veneers and your teeth. If you’re located in Sydney, it’s also beneficial to inquire about veneers cost in Sydney to be well-informed about the financial aspects of your dental care.
Avoid the grind
Grinding or clenching teeth can become a bad habit, no matter if you have veneers or not. It has the capacity to severely harm the material and wear down your dental veneers. If you have such a habit, be sure to consult your dentist about treatment options so you can break the bad habit before it damages your natural teeth or veneers.
The dentist may recommend wearing a nighttime bite guard, also called an occlusal guard. Such a device can help protect both your natural teeth and the new veneers.
Watch what you eat
Be mindful of your diet. It’s best to avoid biting hard foods, such as raw carrots, raw apples, hard chips, and bone-in meat cuts. Along with being cautious of tough foods, you should also avoid overeating, especially when it comes to foods that are high in sugar and acid. Such ingredients can cause tooth decay, which is also bad for your veneers.
Aside from that, be sure to stay away from starchy, sugary foods like candies and pasta, as well as sugary drinks like carbonated soda. It’s also recommended to avoid letting acidic foods like fruits (lemons and other citrus fruits) sit in your mouth for a long time.
Avoid foods that can stain
If you don’t want your veneers to eventually get stained, try to stay away from foods with a lot of colouring in them. While porcelain veneers may be resistant to stains, the glue used to keep your dental veneers in place is not stain-resistant. Therefore, the edges of your veneers may get darker or yellower.
To reduce the likelihood of stained teeth, it is also best to avoid drinks like coffee and soda, but if you want to drink them, a straw might help as well.
Avoid Smoking
Everyone is well aware of how awful of a habit smoking is, but it can also be harmful to not just your teeth but veneers. Your veneers may get damaged and discoloured as a result. Therefore if you want to help them look their finest, make sure you stay away from smoking as much as possible.
Choose the right toothbrush/toothpaste
To lessen the damage to your teeth, it is best to use the right toothbrush and toothpaste. In general, it is best to use a toothbrush that has soft bristles, so it will not scratch the veneer surface.
For toothpaste as well, it is recommended to choose one that does not include abrasive ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. These can eat away the surface of the veneers or even lead them to lose their sheen and colour.
So, in this case, it may be better to use gel products over paste ones since they generally do not contain the above ingredients. Whitening toothpaste can also be somewhat aggressive on veneers, so there is no need to buy it if you want to whiten your veneers.
Prevent gum disease
Gum inflammation and occasionally gum recession are common effects of gum disease. Receding gums often reveal some part of the veneer, which may affect both the overall look of the gums and the smile. Therefore, be mindful, maintain good oral hygiene, and visit the dentist if your Ceramic Veneers are damaged.
Final thoughts
If you are curious about how to take care of veneers, it’s very similar to how you usually care for your teeth. At the most basic, you should brush and floss your teeth daily, be cautious with food and drinks that may cause staining, and use a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that does not include abrasive ingredients. Also, you should visit your dentist regularly, especially if you notice any problems with your veneers.
English (Australia)