Getting teeth veneers is the first step toward achieving your goal of a beautiful smile. Keeping your veneers in great shape is equally important to retain your smile’s gorgeous appearance long-term. When caring for veneers, there are dos and don’ts you should become familiar with. Proper care can extend the lifespan of your veneers so you can enjoy your beautiful smile longer. Your Riverside, California dentist, Dr. Neal Edwards, and our team offer tips for keeping your veneers strong and healthy in the long term.

Dos and Don’ts for Caring for Veneers 

Whether you have veneers on a few teeth or all of them, consider these dos and don’ts to maximize your treatment: 

Dos 

Oral Hygiene:  Do brush and floss your teeth daily to keep your veneers free of plaque and tartar, which can tarnish their appearance and lead to cavities.  

Dental Cleaning: Do see your dentist for routine exams and cleanings. We can check your veneers for signs of decay or wear and tear during routine exams. Routine cleaning will keep your veneers bright and healthy over the years. 

Teeth Grinding: Do wear a night guard when you sleep if you have a problem with teeth grinding. This helps protect your teeth and veneers from chipping or cracking prematurely.

Stain-Causing Drinks: Do drink coffee, tea, wine, and other stain-causing beverages in moderation, and rinse your teeth afterward. Although porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, nearby non-veneer teeth are not. Limiting stain-causing foods and drinks will keep your smile looking its best in the long term.

Diet: Do maintain a nutritious diet to promote the health of your teeth and gums. Avoid sugary foods and beverages that can ruin teeth and derail veneer treatment.

Don’ts

Ice/Hard Foods: Don’t chew on ice or any hard foods, for that matter. Biting down on hard or sticky foods can chip or crack veneers or cause them to come loose. Using a straw when drinking beverages with ice can make it easier to break the ice-chewing habit.

Using Teeth Like Tools: Don’t use your teeth to open packages or flip caps off of bottles, as you can crack or break a tooth, whether it has veneers or not. Teeth were designed for eating and smiling – that’s it!

Smoking: Don’t smoke if you can help it! Smoking is highly detrimental to your oral health. Smokers have a higher risk of gum disease, which can cause failure of their veneer treatment. If you smoke, veneers may not be the best cosmetic procedure for you.

Toothbrush/Toothpaste: Don’t use a hard toothbrush or abrasive toothpaste to brush your veneers. Veneers need quality care with gentle products that won’t scratch their surface. A soft bristle toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste will keep your teeth and veneers fresh and clean.

Porcelain Veneer Treatment Near Me

For quality porcelain veneer treatment and aftercare in the Riverside, CA area, contact Neal Edwards DDS at (951) 614-0033.

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