Do you know what Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, Nicolas Cage, and Morgan Freeman have in common? They all have ‘perfect Hollywood smiles’, and they all have dental veneers.
Veneers are very thin covers that a dentist adheres to a patient’s teeth. Once they are in place, the result is a more classically shaped tooth that will give the patient confidence in their smile.
As long as the patient avoids common dental veneer maintenance errors, most people will never be able to tell that they’re wearing them, especially if you have had them done by a cosmetic dentist that is experienced in natural-looking smile makeovers.
But, like all procedures, a note of caution is needed. If you have veneers and drink stain-causing beverages, smoke, or neglect your oral hygiene etc., it could, over time affect the look of your brand-new veneers.
Those are only a few ways that someone could tarnish their new smile. Here are seven common mistakes that you should avoid.
1. Drinking Stain-Causing Beverages
While it’s true that most veneers are resistant to stains, that doesn’t mean you’re free to drink as much coffee as you want. Certain beverages can stain the bonding agent that keeps your veneers in place.
There’s also the fact that your natural teeth will stain, but your veneers won’t. If you don’t have veneers covering all your teeth, it can create a jarring contrast.
This being said, a little coffee and wine in moderation are okay if you drink them through a straw. Doing so will make it less likely that your stain-causing beverage of choice will touch your teeth.
To mitigate stains even further, rinse your mouth out with water after enjoying your favourite cup of coffee.
2. Ignoring Your Tooth Grinding
Dental veneers are made with porcelain or resin materials. They might be durable, but like natural teeth, they can be affected by excessive, daily tooth grinding.
So, if you notice that you tend to grind your teeth, you’ll need to talk to your dentist about treatment before you set your dental veneer appointment. The most common fix is to keep your teeth separate from each other by wearing a mouthguard.
Your dentist may also suggest taking a muscle relaxant before you go to bed to prevent you from grinding your teeth in your sleep.
In many cases, the main source of bruxism is stress. If you learn how to manage it with relaxation techniques, your issue may resolve itself.
3. Neglecting Your Oral Hygiene
Just like normal teeth, you should continue incorporating brushing and flossing into your daily veneer maintenance routine. Doing so will prevent the stains and decay that could cause you to make an emergency dental visit.
If you neglect your oral hygiene too much, you can create underlying issues that may affect your ability to wear the veneers.
4. Chewing On Non-Food Items
Do you tend to chew on your nails or pen caps when you get nervous? If so, you must figure out how to break the habit.
Chewing on non-food items can harm your veneers the same way that grinding your teeth can. Whenever you feel the urge to bite a pen cap, chew a piece of sugar-free gum. Leave little sticky notes around your office reminding you not to chew.
Keep your nails trimmed short, making them harder to bite or get a manicure. If you pay good money to make your nails look nice, you’ll be less willing to destroy them. There are also bitter-tasting polishes that you can apply to your nails.
5. Buying the Wrong Toothpaste
Again, veneers are durable, but they’re not indestructible. They lack the strength of your natural tooth enamel.
Certain whitening kinds of toothpaste are good for your natural teeth but may be too harsh on veneers. The wear and tear will cause them to lose their shine.
After your dental veneer appointment, ask your dentist about what toothpaste you should use. They’ll be able to give you a list of products that will keep your veneers going strong.
6. Choosing the Wrong Foods
Once you get dental veneers, some foods become off-limits. That includes hard foods such as raw veggies and chewy candies like caramel.
Meat that is tough to chew will put a lot of strain on your veneers. You should moderate or reduce eating tomatoes, berries, and other stain-causing foods as well.
7. Not Practicing the Proper Flossing Technique
Flossing is an important part of veneer maintenance, but you must be careful. If you press too hard into the crevices of your veneers, you could cause lasting damage.
When you floss, carefully wrap it around your tooth in a C-shape. Gently guide the floss up and down the tooth a few times, being careful not to skip your gumline.
It may feel like you’re being too diligent, but that’s better than chipping a veneer or knocking it loose.
8. Using a Hard-Bristled Brush
Hard-bristled toothbrushes are tough on natural teeth and gums. They scratch the surface of the enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to bacteria and decay. They can even cause gums to recede.
These harsh-bristled brushes are even worse for your veneers because they can chip a corner off.
So, when you’re choosing a brush, no matter if it’s electric or manual, always buy the soft-bristled ones.
9. Smoking
If you currently smoke, it’s time to put them down for good. They can stain regular teeth, not to mention veneers.
Smoking can also restrict the blood flow to your mouth and leave you vulnerable to gum disease and cavities.
Avoid These Dental Veneer Maintenance Errors
Veneers can help restore your smile and, with it, your confidence. They mimic the look of natural teeth so well that nobody can tell you’re wearing them.
To keep them shining for years to come, you’ll have to take care of them by avoiding common dental veneer maintenance errors. Be sure to floss, stop smoking, don’t use a hard-bristled toothbrush, and try to avoid stain-causing beverages and foods.
Are you ready for a brighter smile? Contact us to book your dental veneer appointment today!
