Kids and Teeth from Babyhood to University

There are a number of different reasons that you might have gotten porcelain veneers. Whether you wanted to conceal a chipped tooth, fill in a gap between your teeth, cover up teeth discolouration or something else, porcelain veneers can be a great solution. The only problem you may encounter is that you may not be quite sure about how to keep your new porcelain veneers pristine. Here's how you can care for your veneers in the best way possible. 

Brushing and Flossing -- the Right Way

It may take a little time to grow accustomed to porcelain veneers, but your dentist places them with a specialised procedure that ensures they'll be even with your other teeth. A small amount of tooth enamel is removed -- less than the thickness of a single sheet of paper -- and then a very strong dental cement is applied to each tooth that needs a veneer. Your veneers are then placed precisely and securely.

Whilst veneers are designed to last for a long time -- typically a decade or longer -- they aren't indestructible. This means that you'll need to use caution with both brushing and flossing. Brushing is easy: Simply use a non-abrasive toothpaste, as this will help you avoid scratches on the porcelain. When it comes to flossing, you just need to be extra careful whilst still making sure that you're completely cleaning the area between each tooth. Take a few extra moments whilst flossing to make sure that the floss doesn't get snagged beneath a veneer. Avoid harsh tugs on the dental floss and you'll be fine.

Maintaining a White and Bright Mouth

Veneers aren't porous like your natural enamel is. This means that whilst your natural teeth can be affected by coffee, tea, red wine and other substances, the veneers will remain the same colour. You might notice staining around the edges of the veneers, where the natural tooth enamel is, after some time.

The best way to keep your veneers looking great is to make sure that the natural teeth around them are kept white and bright. Talk to your dentist about teeth whitening if you notice that your enamel is darkening. The teeth whitening won't affect your veneers at all, but it will help keep your mouth looking uniformly bright and white. 

As long as you brush, floss, and maintain the natural teeth around the veneers, you can expect your veneers to look their very best for a very long time! Contact a dentist if you need help keeping your teeth in pristine condition.