Once you achieve the smile of your dreams through cosmetic dentistry, you want to make sure that you take steps to maintain your smile. Today I’m going to outline some tips from our Saint Louis cosmetic dental office for patients with dental veneers.
Dental veneers—thin porcelain restorations that are placed over teeth—can completely change the appearance of your smile in only two or three appointments. Once you have your dental veneers, you’ll be able to eat and drink normally for the most part. Read on to learn more…
The first thing to do when you have dental veneers is to maintain a regular dental hygiene routine. You can care for your veneers by brushing, flossing, and using non-abrasive mouthwashes. A diligent dental hygiene routine will keep your veneers looking fresh, and it will help prevent gum disease, which can undermine the strength of your cosmetic veneers.
When you get porcelain veneers, you’re still able to eat and drink your favorite foods. There are some eating habits that should be avoided however—these habits are the same activities that can damage natural teeth.
· Don’t chomp on ice
· Try not to chew hard seeds and nuts with your front teeth
· Don’t open wrappers or bags with your teeth—this can put unnecessary strain on you veneers
· If you notice sings of bruxism (chronic chewing or grinding of teeth), seek prompt treatment. Because this may happen as you sleep, let your dentist know if you’re experiencing jaw stiffness or pain, headaches upon waking, or muscle stiffness.
While dental veneers are generally simple and straightforward to care for, there are some specific steps that you should take to protect your veneers. Our Saint Louis cosmetic dentists can give you more information about dental veneers and the veneers placement process at your first consultation—just give us a call!