Taking Care of Your Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that can be bonded directly to the front of your teeth in order to enhance your smile or cover imperfections, such as chips, cracks, gaps or discolorations. They are stain resistant and extremely durable. However, to ensure the longest life possible, you will need to follow specific care steps.
Good dental hygiene is one of the first steps to maintaining your dental veneers. Brushing and flossing every day, and preferably after meals, will keep plaque and tartar from building up around your dental veneers and increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You will also need to ensure you maintain a regular dental exam schedule. If you generally enjoy good dental health, our dentist will most likely want to see you every six months. If you have a history of gum disease or other dental health problems, our dentist may want to see you more frequently for comprehensive dental exams and professional cleanings.
If you drink, you will need to limit your alcohol consumption. Alcohol can dissolve the resin that bonds the dental veneers, which will lead to them falling off prematurely. This can lead to sensitive tooth structures being exposed, Those who grind their teeth may also be at risk of losing their veneers prematurely. Bruxism, or tooth grinding, can chip or crack dental veneers, so if you tend to grind your teeth at night or due to anxiety, talk to our Los Angeles cosmetic dentist about a custom-fitted mouth guard to protect your veneers from damage.