When you get any kind of dental treatment, you’ll always need to follow aftercare tips to help your mouth heal after your appointment. Most aftercare centers around the first few hours after treatment. However, some treatments, such as porcelain veneers in Cary, NC, require additional care to ensure they stay strong and healthy through the years. If you don’t take the time to properly care for your veneers, they could suffer damage or even fall out. By properly caring for your veneers today, you could help yourself avoid costly re-treatment in the future.
How to Care for Porcelain Veneers in Cary, NC
When you get porcelain veneers, you want to do everything you can to help keep your new smile bright and strong. Failing to properly maintain and care for your veneers can lead to discoloration and damage. While veneers cover your natural teeth, you still need to maintain good at-home oral hygiene, be careful about your chewing habits, and visit your dentist regularly for an exam.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
Porcelain isn’t as affected by plaque and tartar as your natural teeth are. However, getting veneers is no excuse to stop brushing and flossing your teeth as you normally would. The teeth under your veneers can still develop decay, and plaque can still build up on your gums. If you don’t brush and floss at least twice a day, you’re at a greater risk of developing cavities and gum disease. These can not only harm your veneers, but they could lead to additional dental or even medical issues.
Chewing Habits
Veneers are made from a strong material, but they aren’t impervious to damage. If you bite on something too hard, you could end up with a chip or fracture. And if you eat something that’s too gummy, you may accidentally loosen your veneer or even have it fall out. Practicing good chewing habits (such as not chewing on ice or the end of a pen) can help you keep your veneers stronger for longer. Your dentist can also help provide you with a list of foods that you should avoid or plan to eat carefully.
Dental Exams
While veneers are designed to last a long time, they can still develop issues. And it’s not always easy to tell when these problems are developing until it’s too late. For most patients, seeing a dentist regularly can help catch dental problems before they develop into disasters. You should be seeing your dentist at least every six months for a professional cleaning and dental exam. Your dentist can identify early signs of an issue with your veneers and provide the necessary treatment to help keep your smile and bite healthy.
At Kildaire Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe that every patient has the right to a smile they can proudly show off. If you are unhappy with the look or feel of your smile, call us today at 919.823.7107 to schedule a consultation. After examining your mouth and bite, we can determine if porcelain veneers are right for you.