Porcelain veneers are one of the best cosmetic dentistry treatments you can get to transform your smile. Not only can it whiten your teeth, but it can also change the size and shape of your teeth. Whether you invested in one porcelain veneer or several to transform your entire smile, you will want to do everything in your power to protect your investment. Unfortunately, several habits can actually harm your porcelain veneers and hurt your investment. If you want to get the most out of your porcelain veneers and make them last as long as possible, Do everything in your power to avoid these things that can harm your porcelain veneers.
1. Tobacco
Smoking tobacco as well as chewing it can do significant damage to your porcelain veneers. Although your porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, the composite material used to bond your veneers to your teeth is not. When you smoke or chew tobacco, it can stain this composite which can make the edges of your teeth look yellow or brown. The chemicals from smoking and chewing tobacco can also wreak havoc on your gums which can lead to gum disease. Gum disease can lead to receding gums which will leave a gap between your veneers and the edge of your teeth. It can also cause your veneers to fail. When in doubt, avoid all tobacco products with porcelain veneers.
2. Eating Sticky or Hard Foods
Eating foods that are too hard can cause your veneers to crack or break, just like your natural teeth! It’s also harmful to your porcelain veneers to eat sticky food. The sugar can stick to your porcelain veneers and the stickiness can even loosen them from your teeth. Sticky and hard food is harmful to your teeth and porcelain veneers. Consider avoiding:
- Sticky and hard candies like caramel and jawbreakers
- Nuts
- Ice
- Hard pretzels
3. Using Your Teeth As Tools
In addition to not eating hard or sticky foods, you should also not use your teeth as tools, otherwise, you might harm your porcelain veneers. For example, you shouldn’t use your teeth to open packages or to trim your fingernails. Doing so can potentially pull your veneers loose or even damage their appearance. Use scissors and fingernail clippers if you need to open something or cut your nails. Those are significantly cheaper to replace than your porcelain veneers.
4. Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Bruxism or clenching and grinding your teeth usually occurs during sleep and can lead to serious damage to your porcelain veneers. If you have a history of bruxism before getting porcelain veneers, it’s essential to let your Spokane Valley dentist know ahead of time. You may need TMJ treatment or a nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. If bruxism is a daytime habit for you, it’s essential to find the root cause and address it before getting porcelain veneers. Otherwise, you can wear down and fracture your porcelain veneers from the excessive force and constant pressure.
5. Poor Dental Hygiene
Another way you can potentially harm your porcelain veneers is with poor dental hygiene. Just because the front of your teeth is covered with porcelain veneers doesn’t mean you should begin to neglect your oral hygiene. You should still brush your teeth twice a day, floss once, and visit the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning. If you neglect your dental health it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Addressing tooth decay on teeth with veneers is much more difficult than teeth without. Gum disease can also cause your veneers to fail so it’s essential to do everything in your power to keep up with your dental hygiene.
6. Abrasive Toothpaste
Although dental veneers are stain-resistant, they’re not damage-resistant. When it comes to choosing the best toothpaste for your veneers, you will want to steer clear of abrasive toothpaste like whitening toothpaste. Instead, use a normal toothpaste that’s purpose is to clean your teeth and freshen your breath. This will prevent damage from occurring to their outer coating.
7. Sports
If you play any type of contact sport, you will want to protect your porcelain veneers just like you would your natural teeth. Wearing a custom-fit mouthguard can prevent fractures to your veneers and also prevent your teeth from getting knocked out if you were to get hit in the face or take a bad fall.
Visit Our Porcelain Veneers Dentists in Spokane Valley
If you would like to update your porcelain veneers, or perhaps add a few more to your mouth, our talented cosmetic dentists, Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins can help. We can also help you stay up to date on dental cleanings and other preventive care. Please contact our Spokane Valley dental office to schedule an appointment at (509) 927-2273.
