If you feel unhappy with the appearance of your smile, you can meet with a dentist to find a cosmetic dental solution that will enhance the look of your teeth. One of the best ways to do this is with porcelain veneers.
These custom-made caps attach to the front of a patient’s teeth to build a straighter, brighter, fuller, and more even smile according to their aesthetic goals. Once you experience this smile enhancement, you will want to ensure these benefits last for as long as possible.
You will need to take proper care of your veneers to get the most out of this cosmetic dental treatment. Read on to find three tips for maintaining your new porcelain veneers.
Pay Attention to Your Bite
Your dentist constructs porcelain veneers on a custom basis for each patient. This ensures they get the beautiful and natural-looking finish they desire. But it also means the fixtures will fit comfortably within the mouth at a size and shape that does not disrupt their oral functions.
A dentist will adhere the veneers using bonding material for secure placement over the tooth. Before you leave the office, they also check your bite to ensure the new fixtures do not interfere with your ability to chew or speak.
Keep an eye on the fit of your veneers though. It may take time to get used to the way they feel on your smile. But if they become loose or misaligned, call your dentist. Ill-fitting veneers can easily break or dislodge, requiring urgent repairs.
Do Not Bite Down on Hard Items
Dentists design porcelain veneers to look incredible but also function as well as your natural teeth. So you can eat and speak as you normally would. But though durable, veneers are not indestructible.
Biting down on hard items like fingernails or the end of a pen generates abnormal pressure on the teeth and veneers. This could cause the fixtures to fall off or crack. So pay attention to your oral habits and avoid biting hard objects.
If you do damage your veneers, contact your dentist for prompt repairs or replacements of the fixtures. Without the seal of the veneers over your teeth, you could be in danger of further dental problems.
Continue Good Oral Hygiene
Many people appreciate that porcelain veneers will resist staining and tooth decay for long-lasting smile enhancement effects. But you must still practice good oral hygiene if you want the veneers to continue functioning as well as possible.
Veneers will collect plaque over them as your natural teeth will, and this plaque could hurt your teeth and gums. Gum disease or cavities on underlying teeth could impact the fit of the veneers.
Fight these dental problems by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, and attending teeth cleanings at your dentist’s office. These proper oral hygiene habits will keep your smile fresh and healthy so that your veneers will last longer.