How to Care for Porcelain Veneers

When properly cared for, porcelain veneers can help you maintain a beautiful smile for many years. While this cosmetic dentistry restoration is not meant to last a lifetime, your veneers can easily provide you with excellent results for 10-15 years if you maintain a good oral hygiene regimen and take other precautions to avoid damaging them.

It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day to maintain the beautiful results of your porcelain veneers treatment. Nebraska cosmetic dentist Dr. Dan Beninato recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles so that you do not scratch the finish of your veneers. You should also avoid abrasive toothpastes which may damage the surface of your veneers. If you regularly use mouthwash, make sure it does not contain alcohol, since this can erode the bonding agents and cause your porcelain veneers to become loose.

The following precautions will also help prolong the life of your porcelain veneers:

• Take good care of your gums to prevent inflammation and a receding gum line, since this may impact the appearance of your veneers
• Be careful when eating hard foods that may damage your porcelain veneers
• Wear a mouth guard when engaging in contact sports that make you susceptible to injuring your teeth
• If you regularly grind your teeth, wear a mouth guard while you sleep to prevent this grinding from damaging your veneers
• Keep your consumption of staining beverages to a minimum since they may cause the edges of your porcelain veneers to become discolored

You should also come for your regular dental cleanings at Dr. Beninato’s office twice a year to make sure your teeth are healthy and the porcelain veneers covering them remain dazzling and bright.

Please contact Dr. Beninato today to schedule your initial consultation. Premier Dental serves patients in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.