Getting Rid of Gum Disease

If you want to go through a more extreme cosmetic dental restoration, then you may decide to work with your cosmetic dentist to have porcelain veneers secured on the teeth. These veneers can last up to 20 years if proper care is taken. If you want to know about some tips that can help you make the veneers last as long as possible, then keep reading. 

Avoid Tooth Grinding

Porcelain dental veneers are made from a ceramic material that is the same one utilized to make dental crowns, bridges, dental implants, and other prosthetics. This means that the material is meant to last some time. However, thicker porcelain prosthetics will retain a great deal more wear and tear than thinner ones. Dental crowns are often made one to two millimeters thick, while veneers are only about one millimeter thick at the most. The thinner nature of the veneers means that they may be able to crack and chip easier than other types of restorations.

Dental porcelain is made from a crystalline glass. While the glass is both hard and strong, its hardness makes it easy to crack. Specifically, hard materials do not retain much flexibility. This means that they will not bend or shift when placed under pressure and stress. The porcelain will crack much in the same way that a glass window will.

It can take a great deal of pressure to crack the porcelain, and this pressure can be forced against the veneers if you grind your teeth. If you do grind, then ask your cosmetic dentist to create a mold of your mouth so a bruxism guard can be created. Custom guards work the best and are a good option when trying to retain veneers that are free of cracks. If you do not want to spend the money on a guard, then you can purchase a sports one instead. Just make sure to purchase a device that covers the teeth as completely as possible. This will offer the best dental protection. 

Use A Soft Toothbrush

When dental veneers are placed on the teeth, your dentist will use a gritty polishing paste to shine them so they sparkle in your mouth. The polishing will help to create a natural look to your teeth. Fortunately, dental veneers cannot stain, so their tone will also help you to retain a natural look long after the veneers are adhered. However, the tooth coverings can actually start to wear down across the surface and look dull. This happens when the veneers are scratched a small amount, and your toothpaste and toothbrush are often responsible for this sort of problem.

If you want to retain a shiny and polished appearance across your veneers, then choose your toothpaste and toothbrush carefully. You should purchase an abrasive-free paste. Many toothpastes that are created for sensitive teeth contain few, if any, abrasive agents. Many natural toothpastes are free of the ingredients as well. 

Once you have the right paste, you should also purchase a soft bristled toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes often have soft bristles, so opt for one of these products if you can. The electric brushes work to clean the teeth with fast moving bristles and do not require hard bristles to create the friction needed to remove food and plaque. You should remember that very little pressure is needed when using electric brushes as well. 

If you have dental veneers, then it is best to care for them properly to make sure they last as long as possible. Protecting your teeth from bruxism as well as using the right toothbrush and toothpaste can greatly assist you in retaining shiny and strong veneers.