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Protect Your Pearly Whites: Tips for Long-Lasting Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers typically last anywhere from seven to 20 years, but common sense should tell you that - like anything - the better care you take of something, the longer it's likely to last. Porcelain veneers certainly aren't immune to breakage or cracking, and not taking good care of your teeth or failing to be cognoscente about what is and isn't appropriate when it comes to the dental apparatus can potentially be the difference between premature replacement or a long-lasting solution.

How do you ensure that your porcelain veneers last closer to the two decade maximum than they do the seven year minimum? Here's a closer look:

young person with smile

Tips for Ensuring Long-Lasting Porcelain Veneers

  • Practice good oral hygiene: The better you take care of your teeth, the healthier they're going to be - and in order to keep veneers in good shape, the teeth also must be in good shape. With that being said, be sure you don't slack on your tooth brushing and flossing. Most dentists recommend that you should be flossing at least once per day and brushing at least twice per day. Veneers won't decay, but the teeth that they're placed over still can.
  • Lay off the hard stuff: Hopefully we don't haveto tell you that you shouldn't be using your teeth as a tool to open packaging. You also shouldn't be biting things like ice and hard candies. What's more is you should be correcting any bad habits of gnawing on finger nails. Chomping into hard foods and objects only increases the risk of veneer cracking and breakage.
  • Protect them: Do you play sports? We'd strongly advise wearing a mouth guard. Even if you play sports like football and hockey, where a helmet and cage protect the face and teeth, your teeth - and veneers - may not stand up well to constant teeth clenching in adrenaline-fueled situations. Don't take the chance, wear a mouth guard.
  • Eat/drink the right stuff: Veneers are stain resistant - but only to a certain extent. That said, in the event that you drink coffee and the veneers stain before you can properly brush and/or clean your mouth, you're probably stuck with coffee-stained veneers. Bottom line: if you eat or drink anything regularly that might lead to teeth staining, just give your mouth a nice rinse of water after you're done.

Last but not least, one of the best ways to ensure that your veneers stay in good shape for the long run is to regularly see the dentist. By seeing the dentist at least once every six months, you can ensure that your teeth are professionally cleaned and that any minor issues are resolved before they become major issues.

For more information on how to maintain porcelain veneers, contact Caven Dental today.

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